Review: Soap and Glory Fab Pore

While in Berlin, Germany for my research program with my University I made a constant effort to try out products that weren't offered in North America. One of these products was the Soap and Glory line from the UK (although, I didn't visit the UK). I picked it up in the beauty store Douglas, which heavily represents a Sephora in North America, and one of my favourite products I tried was the Fab Pore!

I have always had a huge complex with the blackheads on my nose, and although not very noticeable to others, they look like tiny little dirt mounds to me. We carry some Soap and Glory products in Canada and I have tried their body washes and loved them, so I assumed they could fix my pores too and I brought it back with me to Canada!

After washing my face with my normal Vichy gel cleanser, I applied this to my nose area (as seen in the photo above) and let it sit for the full 15 minutes (and maybe more, I sometimes forget about it). The product feels cold on your skin and it give you this sense of "Hey! I'm actually doing something good for you!". After washing it off I then follow up with a toner and my moisturizer.

I did this proceeder about twice a week for the last  3 and a half months I've been back and I have almost finished the product. After about a month I really noticed a difference in the size of my blackheads and whiteheads on my nose.

This is defiantly a product I would recommend and I'm really hoping I can find a way to get it to Canada soon, because I don't plan on going back to Europe for another 3 years and I can't imagine my life without it until then.

Brittany Haines

Mini Haul and Review: Simple, Olay Fresh Effects and More!

Recently I went a little crazy on skin care products, but it's totally okay! Right?

Being a university student means that I am generally broke, so I've been wanting to find products within my price range that will work for my in-between teen and young adult skin. For me this means an oily t-zone, but luckily no pimples. Recently my biggest skin concerns have been blackheads, the oily t-zone, and redness in my cheeks and chin.

I think skin care is one of the best things to try out and see what works for you and to see what gives you the results you want. I went to my local drugstore (London Drugs and Shoppers) and found a few too many things including skin care and hair, it's been a few weeks so I have tried them out, so I'll give a little review on the product and what I think!

Hair

Got 2b rockin' it Dry Shampoo

I've bought this product before and it is dry shampoo that I am in love with! It smells like Fruit Loops and matcha, and anything that smells like that must be good! But it actually is really amazing at getting rid of the oil in your hair and it only costs about $6!

Aveeno living colour "Colour Preserving Shine Glaze"

This was in the clearance section and I thought I would give it a try. I plan on dying my hair darker soon and I tried this a while ago and the colour faded very quickly so I thought if I use this after my shower it might help keep in some of that colour!

Orgnx Coconut and Macadamia Oil Intensive Repair Treatment

Also in clearance, I've heard great things about Orgnx, and the fact that it had coconut oil in it really drew me in. I've used it a couple time and so far I'm loving the way it feels in my hair and I do think I am starting to see my hair getting a little bit healthier.

Skin Care

Olay Fresh Effects SPF 15 Moisturizer

I wanted to try the Fresh Effects brand for awhile (those damn advertisements) so I choose three! This is just your average everyday cleanser with SPF, it was a fairly reasonable price (under $15) and if you need something simple for summer, this is a great product!

Olay Fresh Effects Shine Minimizing Cleanser

I find that this product doesn't really work for me (many shine minimizing products don't), but again, its a nice simple product that gets the job done as far and cleansing. 

Olay Fresh Effects Eye Awakening Cream

This Fresh Effects product has impressed me so far. I pop this on under my eyes when I wake up and I do see I change in my (you've been over studying) bags. So, so far this is a great product I want to finish!

Simple Soothing Facial Toner

Simple is also a brand I have recently learnt about (damn YouTube!) And we have recently been able to find Simple in stores in Canada, so again, I had to try it out! I am so far loving this toner. Its nothing special, just your every day toner, but its exactly what you want on an everyday basis. And I love the cold effect it leaves on your face, especially in the mornings when I'm trying to wake up!

Simple Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes

This have also been a hit so far, I don't wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis, so I wipe like this is perfect to take off what ever is left on my face at the end of the day (and then I tone and moisturize), and again, just like the name, a simple every day product!

I hope you all enjoyed this and maybe got some inspiration to try some of these products! Please tell me what you think and how you get on with them!

Brittany Haines

Makeup Look: Falling Leaves

The dark red lip is all the hype this fall which from last year is quite a bit darker. A red lip can be dressed down with minimal to know eye shadow, to something heavy and dark, or something in between which I am sporting in this look. Red lips are great if you want to feel a little more daring!

What I Wore:

La Roche-Posay Effeclar Mat Sebo-Regulating Moisturizer

Too Faced Primed and Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 100 Ivory

Maybelline Fit Me! Pressed Powder in 225 Medium Buff

Quo Faux Glow Bronzing Powder in Sun Kissed

Benefit Blush in Rockateur

Elf Baked Eyeshadow in Toasted

Company Lashes Mascara in Black

M.A.C Lip Pencil in Burgundy

Maybelline Lipstick in 435 Plum Perfect

Review: ELF Moisturizing Lipstick

Canada started opening Targets a few years ago and to be honest, its not that popular among Canadian's but I do like the selection of makeup available. I recently noticed they carried ELF products and decided to buy 2 of the lipsticks because they are never in-stock online. They were both $4 each, which for the studio brand is an extra dollar (but you have to take shipping into consideration), but when I do buy online from ELF I usually spend about $40 and get a whole package of free makeup - so with shipping being only about $9 to Canada - is like $3.10 for each product I receive. So I'm still debating whether I'll buy in-store again.

I bought the Pink Minx (on the Right for swatches) and Rosy-Go-Round (Left) for the Moisturizing Lipstick, but there were only 3 colours to chose from (not much variety or selection in-store). The packaging is very attractive and not overly cheap looking. Very slick and modern. The lipstick rolled on easily and smoothly but I had to press fairly hard to get the colour I wanted. It also felt very thick and plastic like (not exactly what I am looking for..), but the lipsticks are both very pigmented and show amazing colour!

It's not something I would buy again and I'm not even sure if I'll get my use out of it. If I had an "out of 5 star" scale, it would be a 1 or 2.

Just One of Those Days

You know those day's when everything goes wrong? You slip on the spring ice scratching up your wrist on the way to school, staining your sweater with blood. Your teacher yells at you for being late because you had a panic-attack right after and didn't get to class till the halfway point. You wait for your friend after school to walk home with, 15 minutes later you call him finally and he tells you he went to another friends house. You walk to the train station alone and then forget your biology textbook at the train stop, go back to find it's gone? Ya. That was my day. I felt horrible. Got home and ate everything in the house that I thought would take away my sorrows. When food didn't 100% help, I got my mom to drive me to the local drugstore and her and I decided to have a mini splurge. I can't say this is the healthiest form of therapy, but coming home with some new cosmetics, putting on one of your new face masks and watching Sex and the City really does make you feels good again. Now. Lets move forward, looks towards tomorrow in hopes that my Bio teacher will let my homework slide given the circumstances...

What I bought on my Mini Drug Store Splurge

Stylize Claw Clip

The Balea Pore Refining, Hydrating and Skin Firming Face Masks

Covergirl Eye Enhancer Palette in 235 Pure Romance 

Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer in 125 Very Fair 

February Favourites - 2014

So, I know February's not over yet, but it's close enough that I don't think I'll have any more favourite products. This month was great because I made a trip to the United States (Hawaii!) were I was able to pick up some products not offered in Canada and all the drugstores, high streets and high-end shops came out with their new Spring Lines! I bought way too much stuff and discovered lots of favourite new products but since this was the Month of Love my colour choices are based around that. (I even found some romance myself this month! Shh! Don't tell anybody!)

It was hard to choice just a few products, but I thought of it in the way of "what could I have not lived without this month?" And I think that's a good way to think of it. What would have made my month miserable if I hadn't had? And these were my top 7 products. Why 7 products? I don't know, just how it happened. Will it be 7 next month? Maybe. Maybe not. Not going to be super particular on that.

Doing a favourites blog post has been something I've wanted to do for a while, but to be honest; I'm still very new to the makeup community. You know; all those people who understand how to wear, apply and choose cosmetics. I'm still learning. I only really started wearing makeup last Summer (less than a year ago!) and only just found out how to properly apply blush! (If anyone wants a video or post on that, I can do it now!). One thing I want for you as my viewers to understand is, I'm not an expert. I'm not a guru or anything like that. I like cosmetics, I understand colours, what to wear when, how to wear certain colours together, and I'm good with keeping up with trends and what's in style. So I am here for you! To share my life, my story, my reviews, what I learn, and my own personal secrets! So this is my first favourites and I hope you enjoy! 

Ps. I plan on making more blog posts, hopefully once a week, but we'll see.

I'm going to start with the products that pump up the colour! One thing to remember is, it's still winter but we're slowly edging into spring. So! We still need to stay fairly winter colourized, while adding bits and bobs of springy colours. In spring pastels are your best friend. Remember that as we jump into spring.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in 425 Blue-Away

So I actually bought this at the start of the winter thinking it would be a nice icy colour to wear, but I only wore it once and to be honest it felt way too bright and summery. I ended up wearing lots of reds and gold. I actually pulled this colour out for my trip to Hawaii and it was still on my nails when I got back. Since I've slowly been wearing more springy colours. It seemed to really work and because of that, I feel in love and it's been on my nails all month. It's a nice transition colour from winter to spring. The blue for winter and in a pastel for spring! The Sally Hansen Insta-Dri are some of my favourite Nail Polish's, purely because they only need one coat and they dry quickly. Perfect for me since I mess them up ALL the time.

Sephora + Pantone Universe Jumbo Waterproof Eye Pencil in Elderberry

I got this and the eyeliner in the US while I was there. The Sephora's in the states carry a few things that Canada doesn't, so I made sure to stop and look around for about... an hour or two? My family went through the whole mall before I left Sephora and the only thing that got me out was the promise of ice-cream and a new swimsuit. I've always been told purples are great for hazel eyes and since I was cursed with these bad boys I thought I should finally buy some purple products (yes.. that's my excuse..). I did, and I don't regret it at all. I love this Chubby stick! Easy to apply and super pigmented. I'm pretty sure these were limited edition and actually aren't in circulation anymore, so if you can get your hands on one then do.

Sephora + Pantone Universe Rare Brilliance Liner in Hortensia

Again; this is from my trip to the States. It was part of a kit with 3 eye liners. A black, green and the purple. The black is... black. The green isn't very good for me (well. Cody asked me if I had mould under my eyes..). But the purple was something special. The colour was like a perfect purple for my eyes, to really make them pop and it stays on FOREVER! I usually have a lot of problems with eyeliners but this one is amazing and not as dark the black, so it's great for a "not to heavy" look. LOVING IT! Again, it was limited edition and is not for sale anymore. Check E-Bay? Amazon?

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick in 17

I'm sure if you have read my blog you know how much I love the Rimmel Kate Moss collection. If I could fall in love with lipstick, this would be the brand. And this colour; perfect for February. The colour is like this rich but calm pink. I think it's the perfect Valentines day colour. And I pretty much wore it all month. Been loving the colour and again it's great for spring. Pastel is what to focus on and this is a great pink for the season. Perfect for work, school, really more of a day colour. But my absolute favourite right now.

Last off our secret weapons, the products people don't ask about, but leave that lasting impression of flawless and natural beauty!

Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

I bought this as a travel size mascara for me to take with me places and I know use it more then any other tube of mascara. Why? I love the brush and the actual liquid. The brush is this great hourglass shape that helps volumize and the liquid is think and great helps brighten the whole face. I have never dealt with too much mascara on the brush and never to little. Perfect! I think I'll have to buy a bigger size of this.

Rimmel Stay Mate Primer

Okay. This is where I go crazy. If I had to choose one product for the month, it would be this. I had never worn a full face primer before. Never thought they did much to be honest and I tried this and at first I was like "All right, it's cool, whatever." One day though, I didn't have time to put any makeup on before school, so I just left with just primer on. By the time I got to school and looked in a mirror. I was surprised to see redness mostly gone, no shine and it was just an overall nice look. Since then I can't get enough. I recommend it to everybody, my best friend, random girls at school. Even a few boys who have tried it and now use it. Yep. The power of this primer.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 100 Ivory

Lastly is this wonderful foundation!

 I learnt about it on You Tube from people such as Zoella and Glitteralittle (Links below), I heard them all raving about this foundation and I've never been much of a liquid foundation person, but I thought I better try it out. I did and I generally really like it. I like the consistency. I might was a tad lighter colour, but it's fine when I wear a lighter setting powder. It great to pop it on in the morning as a medium coverage foundation. My only problem is I am Matte person, not a radiant glow kinda person. And it adds a bit of glow so I end up using a matting powder on top of it. But it lasts all day and it really is just an amazing foundation.

These are my February Favourites! I hope you enjoyed them and if you have an questions or concerns, just ask! I will try to post more entries. I really want to get into it. So. I will try my best.

Link to Zoella Here

Link to Glitter a Little Here

My Travel Makeup Bag - 2014

So I always need to force for myself to cut down on makeup when I travel, because in reality you just can't bring everything! So as I am super excited for my 5 day trip to Maui, I had to choose my necessary makeup haul to bring with me along with me. Along with some fun Hawaiian colours for the Trip!

Makeup Bag - Clinique

So I'm a bit of a nut when it comes to foundation, I have a serious complex with the red spots on my brow and chin, which I constantly fix throughout a day. So because of that I am bringing my main haul of foundation including two concealers (one liquid, one stick), a mousse foundation and a pressed powder foundation. I probably will only end on wearing a little concealer and mousse, but I won't know till I get there! (4 more days!) Also I just purchased the pressed powder, it is a tad darker then my skin tone with the hopes it will match my tanned skin. TIP: When going somewhere sunny always expect to get a tan and bring foundation that's a shade or two darker depending on the length of your stay! Also look for foundations with SPF 15 etc. so that it help keep your skin safe!

NARS Creamy Concealer in Light 2 - Vanilla

the Balm Liquid Time Balm Spot Concealer in Fair

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in Light 1 - Porcelain Ivory

Maybelline FIT me! Pressed Powder in 225 - Medium Buff

I am bringing two blushes with me to matches my lipsticks and eye shadow. Although it doesn't show to well in the picture the blush to the left is an orangey nude and the one to the right is a hot pink. These are both great colours for summer and for a fun holiday look! I bought the FIT me! blush today just for the trip! I thought it would be a nice warm colour for the long days in Hawaii!

Ps. And although with my previous post a while back on the Dream Bouncy Blush, I have not grown entirely fond of it, but once you learn how to get the right amount of pigment with your fingers it snot the worst thing and it generally does the job well.

Maybelline FIT me! Blush in Light Nude

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in 15 Rose Petal

Lips! My favourite! Also why I took so many pictures. This had to be the hardest decision for what to bring on this trip. And if my makeup bag could hold it I would be bringing every single lipstick I own (note to self: buy a bigger makeup bag!), but since I can't these were my top 6 choices. I brought two hot bright pinks, a nude, an orange, a pale pink and a tinted pink lip balm. All these will hopefully suffice for the trip and I hopefully won't be dreaming of some colour I forgot. That's always the worst. I have luckily enough matched up these lipsticks with different outfits, I know I will use them all. Hopefully. Also remember to protect your lips! The Baby Lips has SPF 15 and I am also bringing along a clear SPF 20 Lip gloss along with my to apply on top of all my lipsticks (why isn't that in this post? stupid me.) Protect your skin! That includes your lips!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous

Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in 860 - Pink Pop

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm in 95 - Strike a Rose

Topshop Matte Finish Lipstick in Brighton Rock

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick in 113

Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick in 25 - Lust for Blush

So first off. This is a super small picture. I am not 100% amazing with computers and I can't get the little box to come up and fix the size. So. Ya.. Any who; I am bringing my Stila - In the Light Eye Shadow Palette on the trip! I find its a nice simple palette so I can smear a little eye shadow on before going out for the day or going for a nice dinner. Nothing too special about it and I'm not much of an eye shadow person anyway (I'm all about the lips!). Its an essential palette for me because I am in love with shimmery eye shadows lately (I used to absolutely hate eye shadow. Oh how we change!). But this will be a fun palette to play with! 

Again! Horrid size for these pictures but perfect for the first two. Anyway! These are my essential touch up pieces, including my eyebrow kit, my eyelash curler, my 3 main brushes and a small tube of Buxon  Lash Mascara I bought for the trip. I think if I had to choose anything to bring it would be this little group of items and my foundation. I could live without the rest. I would just rather not have to! The brushes are Sephora Brand and the first brushes I have ever owned (got them for Christmas from my parents! Thank You!), and after trying them all, these are my favourite. the left one for blending concealer, adding pressed powder and blush, middle for eye shadow and right one for eyebrows. The little eyebrow kit came with a brush but this one is a thinner brush and I can be more précises with it! (As my language changes to French for the word precise. Lovely.)

(Put everything away then realizing I didn't say what everything was. Great. Pull it all out again.)

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in 06 - Blonde

(Type Brand Here) Eyelash Curler from the Crystal Collection?

Bare Essentials Buxon Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

Sephora Small Contour Brush

Sephora Precision Shadow Brush

Sephora Angled Liner Brush

SO! I hope this will help anyone who is going on a sunny holiday anytime soon, with little tips or ideas on what to bring! AND always remember to protect your skin! Yes. Even your lips can burn. They're not superman. Remember to have fun, don't stay on your computer the whole trip (I'm not even bringing mine. Shocker!), get a nice tan, go on early morning walks, and look beautiful in whatever you wear head, toes and face! Good Luck and I wish you all the best on your travels!

Makeup Look: Frosted

So! This is my first "makeup look" blog ever! So I hope you enjoy it. This is currently my favourite winter look to pull off. I love the colours in the eyes and the icy look on my lips.

I used the Merle Norman "Luxiva Glow Getters" Wine and Dine Pallette for the eyes with my i.d|bare escentuals "max coverage conceler brush (I currently only own two brushes.. I'm working on getting more), using the Eyes 1,3,5 and 6 to create the look. First by applying the eyes 2 colour all over my eyes lid up to my brow, then using eyes 1 in the water creases. I put the eyes 5 in the crease of my eyes lid and then eyes 6 just on the outer side of the lid crease. I then reapplied different areas till I was satisfied! (For a step-by-step with pictures and such, just ask!)

For my lips I used the Revlon "Super Lustrous" lipstick in 405 Silver City Pink which I am in love with! It give my lips a frosty look to them with still being pretty in pink, edgy and in the mood for the holidays! I feel like it help brings out the pink in my eye makeup from eyes 3 and the shine brings out the gold shimmer in eyes 5 which make everything appear bolder

One of my MUST winter looks. For more information you can contact me at my e-mail, twitter etc. which you can find in the Contact tab! 

Products used in todays look: 

•Merle Norman "Luxiva Glow Getters" Wine and Dine Pallette

•Revlon "Super Lustrous" lipstick in 405 Silver City Pink

•Covergirl "Clump Crusher" by lashblast water resistant

•Maybelline "Dream Matte Mousse" foundation in 1 Porcelain Ivory

•L'oreal Paris "True Match" powder in Warm 

•Maybelline "Dream Fresh" BB Cream in Light/Medium Sheer Tint

•NYX "Eyebrow Cake Power" in Blonde

Review: Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Rose Petal - 15

This is a newer product that came out this year and I decided to give it a try. I have never been on to move away from the things I love and am used to, but if I want to go anywhere in the beauty or fashion industry I better know my shit. So I went out and bought a new blush. Still my usual colour that I wear but Maybelline's "Bream Bouncy" Blush is a creamy blush instead of a powder. I had never used a cream or liquid blush before so I bought it and gave it a try. The Sales Woman told me to use my fingers to apply it or a blotting sponge. I tried both methods and overall this product did not impress me. I found it really hard to find a happy medium for the consistency. It either went on to lightly or to densely. I also did not enjoy the idea of using my fingers to apply my makeup, I like to keep my hands clean. Out of 5 I give it a 2. Not a product I would buy again but in general it gets the job done. I'll stick with my powders till I'm brave enough to try something new again.

Winter Lipsticks - 2013

One thing I cannot live without is lipstick. For it is a definite essential for my everyday makeup routine, and for me to even feel comfortable leaving the house; and with the change of a season, our makeup routines change as well. In the Fall I usually go for a lot of browns and oranges and for Winter its time to have a little bit of fun with the darker berry shades and reds.

These are my five winter must haves. The only two colors you can't tell is the Revlon in the black case and the Rimmel Kate Moss Series.  But I shall describe them from left to right!

The Revlon "Just Bitten Kissable" Balm Stain in one of my favourite products for lips I have two of these currently an orange called 040 Rendezvous that I bought for fall and this one called 005 Crush for winter. When you apply a "Just Bitten Kissable" they have a minty smell which I really like and they stay on all day! They will lighten over the day but it never comes fully off. I've actually had nights where I put it on for a party or so and wake up the next morning and my lips are still pink. I love this plumy pink, its a great warm colour for the holiday months and its just beautiful. I actually didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I do but now I you could barely tear me away from it!

Next in the line is the Revlon "Super Lustrous" Lipstick in 405 Silver City Pink, I tried to get a picture but it started getting to dark out and it wouldn't turn up. I call this my frozen lip look. Its a silvery shimmery light pink, that looks like you have frozen lips. I love it because its something a little out of the ordinary but still a lot of fun and goes great with almost any outfit. I love wearing this with a light pink blush for a frozen lips and cheeks look. I have a lot of fun with it. If you would like a picture of my Frozen Lemonade look just ask, I'll do it if anyone is interested.

Right in the middle is the Rimmel London "Lasting Finish by Kate Moss" Lipstick in 113 which is a nude. I love my nude tones as much as I love my colours, sometimes I find it nice to just feel a little naked with your makeup while still doing the whole works. It also gives you a chance to do a nice bright eye or I will go neutral lips and eyes and put on a little extra blush usually a rosy pink colour and it makes you have a natural looking rosy cheeks all day long for that winter feeling.

Last our my Revlon "Colorburst" Lip Butters in 040 Red Velvet and 035 Candy Apple right on the end. I love the "Colourburst" series, I own way more then I should but I must say, they really are amazing. The colour is as bright as the cases and they last a long time as long as you don't bite you lips like me (the main reason I prefer lip stains). I find the darker red is great for evening where I usually go for the 035 Candy Apple for a day look. Both are great Christmas colours, because how could a red ever not work for Winter?

These are just five of my favourites, but they always work for the Winter season.