Social Media Overload

Wooo! I'm excited to announce that we have decided to make a Twitter account!

It'll be a fun way to interact with you guys and others in the beauty community!

Here's a snip of what our profile looks like (we literally just made it). It's looking pretty sad right now but we're excited to get it up and running.

If you're interested, you can follow us at @delicatebeasts! We'd love to connect with you guys on a different social media network! 

We've also created an account on Influenster. If you haven't heard of Influenster, it's basically a site where you answer questions and write reviews on a number of products. The more you're involved, the more points you get towards earning badges. If you're interested in giving out mini reviews without starting a blog, this is a great site to check out! (Kind of wish I heard of this earlier!)

Our profile name on Influenster is Amelia K. but we're looking into changing it.. But for now that's what it is!

Also on a side note, we are looking into making an Instagram account. We might see how the Twitter page works out first before we start going crazy with social media...

Anyway, I hope this allows us to interact with more people with the same interests in a less formal platform (if that makes sense)... 

Can't wait to start chatting with you guys!

- Amelia

VIB Rouge 2014

Woooooo! After only 4 months of being VIB, I've made it to VIB Rouge status. That's super embarrassing to admit but I don't even care. Haha judge me all you want!

Jokes aside, I'm super excited to be VIB Rouge! I can't wait to take part in the secret events and get first access to new products! The free shipping and makeovers whenever you want are nice bonuses as well!

The packaging for the card was super cute. You get this paper/thin cardboard box that comes with a pamphlet, your new card, your pass to the beauty studio, and a VIB Rouge exclusive lipstick from BITE.

I thought I'd also let you guys know what was in my purchase that solidified my VIB Rouge status. I believe I used the take $20 off your purchase of $50 or more coupon which allowed me to splurge a but more (because apparently, I haven't splurged enough?!).

Peter Thomas Roth's Mini Mask Trio

As I have mentioned in the last few posts, my skin has been going crazy and I've been trying to calm it down. It's doing a lot better know but it still has some trouble spots. Anyway, I bought this mask set because it was only $23 and you get to try 3 different masks. You get the cucumber gel mask, the rose stem cell bio-repair gel mask, and the pumpkin enzyme mask.

Just a heads up, the packaging is quite deceiving as these jars are microscopic. I thought that was important to note if you're considering buying this trio. However, for the price I think it's somewhat reasonable as the full size masks alone are over $50 each and you get to try 3 different kinds. It would also make a great gift or stocking stuffer!

I'm quite curious about this brand as I haven't really heard anyone mention any of their products. Hopefully I can share my opinions on these masks in the near future.

Hourglass' Ambient Lighting Palette

I'm going to be honest here, I have no idea how to properly use/put on highlighter (or is this a setting powder? does it work as both?) but for some reason I just had to get this. I think the description for what each powder is supposed to do is very intriguing and sucks you into buying it. Pretty sure that's what happened to me...

As of right now, I'm not too sure how I'm going to use this but I'm pretty excited to play around with this and see what kind of looks I can get. I've seen a number of positive reviews on this palette so fingers crossed that I get on well with it!

SIDE NOTE: I am finally done exams for this semester so hopefully I will be able to post more before the next semester starts in January!

What did you buy with the $20 off coupon? Have you used any of these products before?

- Amelia

Black Friday Haul 2014

Black Friday has come and gone but I thought I'd still share what I bought. In Canada, we have Thanksgiving about a month before the US, but we're slowly adopting the idea of Black Friday. Stores have started creating Black Friday sales during Canadian thanksgiving but the deals aren't as good as they are in the states. However, in my books, any deal is better than no deal!

This haul was especially exciting for me as I got a number of products from brands I have been wanting to try, plus everything was on sale! 

Caudalie's Beauty Elixir

I feel like this product has been raved about quite a bit the last few months. I've been wanting to see what the hype was all about, but I just couldn't justify spending a large amount of money on a beauty elixir. I remember seeing the smaller size and telling myself that $19 was still way too much to spend but clearly I got over that as it's now part of my collection. I've tried it out a couple of times now and so far I don't have any complaints. However, I haven't used it enough to notice any benefits or negatives. 

Also, how cute is this packaging? I love how they can be put on the tree as an ornament, used as a stocking stuffer, or a cute little gift. Who doesn't love travel-sized products?

BITE's Lush Lip Trio

From left to right: currant, strawberry, meutan

For Black Friday, Sephora offered a number of mini sets all for $12 each! This was one of the sets I had my eyes on as I've been trying to get more into lip product. According to many YouTubers and beauty bloggers, BITE is a really good brand. The set comes with 3 different glosses in the colours currant, strawberry, and rambutan. The colours are all pretty neutral, perfect for anyone who isn't big on bold colours! I think my favourite one is currant. This set would be great for anyone who wants to get into lip products, wants to try out the brand, or for those who can't get enough of BITE products. 

Also, can we please talk about how good these glosses smell?! They smell sweet and fruity, plus they don't taste half bad when you need to lick your lips. I hate glosses that taste oily or make-upy (is that even a word?).

Ole Henriksen's "The Clean Truth" Cleansing Duo

Ole Henriksen is another brand I have been DYING to try. My skin has been lashing out this past week and I can't seem to find anything that will work. I think now is a great time to try out a bunch of different skincare products. 

Fleur from FleurdeForce always talks about how luxurious the Ole Henriksen face wipes are. Ever since she first mentioned them, I have been wanting to give them a try. However, I find they're just too expensive, especially for face wipes. I used one of the wipes today and one wipe does the trick. I still washed my face after but I felt that the wipe got off almost all of my makeup. Sometimes with the cheaper wipes, I find I have to use two before I'm satisfied. I now understand why these wipes are so expensive, but I don't think I would be willing to spend a lot on makeup wipes. 

The African Red Tea Cleansing Foam was the main reason I wanted to get my hands on this set. I've haven't seen too many reviews on this face wash but from what I have heard, they are positive. I'm definitely excited to give it a go!

Boscia's Pore-Purifying Duo

I haven't tried as many Boscia products as I would like. The only product I have tried are their Pore Purifying Black Strips. I'm super excited to try out their Luminizing Black Mask and Black Charcoal Blotting Linens. Considering the blotting papers retail for $13 and I only paid $12, this set is a steal!

Estee Lauder's Sumptuous Extreme Set

This was probably the best deal of the day. Normally, the Sumptuous Extreme mascara retails for $29. This set includes a full size mascara, a double ended eyeliner (one side black, the other brown), and an eye night cream. Would you believe me if I told you this set was $29? You're basically getting the eyeliner and eye cream for free! After all the discounts, I think I ended up paying only $17 for each set before tax! Insane!

I don't really use eyeliner but I was intrigued by the eye cream, and of course the mascara. Each pot of eye cream has a lot of product in it. If you can find this set anywhere, I would highly recommend it. 

Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation

I've been wanting to try cheaper foundations as the Lancome Teint Idol can be a bit pricey. The Double Wear is in the same price range but it's still a little cheaper than the Teinte Idol. Also, a lot of people seem to love this foundation so I thought I'd give it a try. I got it in the shade Cool Bone. I think the colour match is pretty spot on, however, I'm not sure if I'm liking the way it looks throughout the day. I've only tried it once and I found it looked good when I first applied it. I looked in the mirror after an 8 hour shift and I felt my face looked slightly cakey. I'm going to try it out some more but as of right now, I'm on the fence about this product. 

Is there another foundation that provides a full/medium coverage from Estee Lauder? If this formulation still doesn't work for me I'm thinking of possibly exchanging it for a different one. Any suggestions?

Dior's Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara

This was the 100 point redemption I made during this haul. I've tried the Dior It-Lash before and loved it. Ever since, I have been wanting to try out more of their mascaras but I still can't get myself to spend $35 on mascara. However, there are at least 3 mascaras I want to try that are in that price range so I'm sure you'll see an expensive mascara in a future haul (I clearly don't have any self-control).

Anyway, I'm planning to do a review on this mascara so keep your eyes open for it! I'm hoping to get a macro lens so I can take good close-up pictures but if I don't get one soon I'll try and see what I can do with what I have right now.


Do you have Black Friday where you're from? If so, did you buy anything?


- Amelia

VIB Haul 2014

I realize this post is super late... but I thought I'd still show you what I picked up at this year's VIB sale! I definitely feel like I should've picked up a few more products to really take advantage of the 20% off but, let's be honest, I don't think I'll ever feel like I got enough.

In case you don't know, the VIB sale is a sale that goes on for all VIB and VIB Rouge members. You get the coupon emailed to you that you can use in store or online. The email also comes with 2 barcodes so there's one for you and one for a friend. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this happens once a year.

I feel like during the VIB sale most people either stock up on products they know and love, or they take the opportunity to try new brands and products that they have been dying to get their hands on. I definitely did a combination of both. 

Urban Decay's De-Slick Setting Spray

I think I mentioned this in a previous post, but I am totally digging the de-slick over the all-nighter. I guess there actually is a difference in the formulation! I like to use this after I apply my foundation and a second time once I've finished everything else. If you're in need of a setting spray, I would highly recommend this one. It helps with keeping your makeup in place, preventing cake face, and refreshes your look if you use it later on in the day.

This setting spray is pretty pricey when you think about what it actually is. I'm trying to find a cheaper alternative that won't break the bank. I want to check out my local drugstore and see if they have the L'oreal Infallible Setting Spray. It's still a little expensive but it's ALOT cheaper then this one.

Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara

I have been dying to try this especially after watching a number of YouTubers rave about it! I'm happy to say that I'm enjoying it so far. I like the way it makes my lashes look but I find when I'm applying it, little clumps form at the tips of my lashes. I might have to remove more of the excess mascara off next time I use it. I'm not a fan of the clumpy look... Don't get me wrong though, I do like this mascara! If you've been debating on getting it or not I would say, just do it! I did and so far I don't have any regrets.

Origins' Best of Both Worlds Skincare Set

I'm so happy I got my hands on this set! It was a bit hesitant as I believe it was around $60 but I'm so glad I got it. The set includes their Drink Up overnight mask, High-Potency Night-A-Mins Renewal Cream, and two GinZing products, Energy-Boosting Moisturizer and Refreshing Eye Cream. I did a review on their Drink Up mask that you can take a look at here.

The main reason I got this set was so I can try out the GinZing line and restock on the Drink Up mask (I'm running low). I also really want to try some of their eye de-puffing products. I'm considering doing a brand focus on Origins products. Let me know if that's something you would be interested in seeing!

Marc Jacob's Plush Shadow Palette in Lolita

Over the summer, I got my makeup done at Sephora for a friend's sisters wedding. I was helping out with a couple of friends and we thought it would be fun to get our makeup done for the occasion. I had heard a lot about this palette but I was never really interested in getting it until I saw one of the girls from Sephora use it on my friend (the price was the main turn off). She looked so pretty! 

I feel like this palette is great for the whole "day-to-night" concept. The colours are all pretty neutral but the dark brown can be used to smoke it out and create the perfect look for a night out. 

I'm going to be honest, I'm a little scared to actually use this. For the most part it's probably because I know how expensive it is and I don't want to ruin its perfection, but I also feel like I might be a bit disappointed with this product. Every time I swatch it in store, I feel like the pigmentation just isn't there compared to other shadows like the ones from the Naked or Too Faced Palettes. Either way, I'm definitely going to give this a go in the next few days and see how I like the colour pay off, staying power, etc. 

Benefit's They're Real Mascara

A haul at Sephora isn't complete without a point redemption! I'm trying to save up more of my points for some odd reason (I may or may not be a point hoarder...), but every time I purchase something they seem to have one sample that I've been wanting to try. I have so many samples of this mascara that I still haven't bought this in the full size. If this mascara is ever up for a point redemption, I feel the need to get it because it honestly is that good.

I just realized that every single point redemption I've done has gone towards mascara... Literally every. single. one. Wait, except for one, I think one time I redeemed a primer form Clinique because, why not? But other than that, every. single. time. haha. I have a problem, I know.


Did you buy anything during the VIB sale? Are there any products that you have been dying to try?

- Amelia

REVIEW: Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

I'm happy to say that I only have one exam left so I should be able to post a lot more now! It's been too long! I still have at least 2 hauls I need to post but I thought I'd switch it up a bit since I've done a lot of hauls recently... I'm still trying to get another camera lens so I can do reviews on products like mascara and eyeshadow. The lens I have now doesn't allow me to get close enough without getting blurry.

Anyway, enough of the excuses... Let's get on to the review!

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

This face wash is super creamy and is awesome at lathering. I enjoy using this with my Clarisonic because it really works in the product. However, this stuff works great if you wash your face with your hands. I used to/still use my hands when I use this product. As you can tell from patchiness of the tube in the photo above, I love this face wash. This is my second tube and I'm ready to buy my third one once this runs out. 

The reason I love this face wash is because it's so simple. It isn't targeted towards fixing any problems. Before, I used to use a variety of acne cleansers to try and help out my skin. I distinctly remember a time when my skin was completely overwhelmed because of all the acne cleansers and treatments I had been using. Eventually, my skin stopped reacting to any products and the acne either stayed or got worse. 

When I first tried out this face wash, I was pretty new to Origins products. I had tried Origins' Modern Friction exfoliator before and loved it, so I thought I would give their face wash a try. I'm so glad I gave it a go! This helped calm my skin and eventually got rid of most of the acne. 

This is a great everyday face wash as it is gentle and the creamy texture makes it feel quite luxurious. I would highly recommend this product if your skin isn't happy and needs to get back on track. As the name suggests, it checks and balances your skin after weeks of trying out different products. It just brings your skin back to its happy place. This face wash is also unscented so it's perfect for those with sensitive skin or for those who don't like scented products. 

I accidentally squeezed a generous amount of the face wash when I was taking this photo, but generally you don't need a lot in order to effectively wash your face. I would say a nickel or max a quarter size of product should do the trick!

Here's a quick recap of my review on this product:

Pros

• Decently priced (~$25)
• Lathers well 
• Non-drying
• Calms irritated/over-treated skin
• Can treat acne (it did in my case)
• Great for everyday use
• Lasts a long time as you don't need to use much per wash
• Scent-free

Cons

• If you're targeting a problem such as acne, there's no "guarantee" it will clear it up as it isn't meant to necessarily get rid of acne (it all depends on your skin type and how your skin reacts to the product)

What's your favourite face wash for irritated skin? Have you tried anything from Origins?

- Amelia

Bath & Body Works Candle Haul

For my birthday, I received a $40 gift card to Bath & Body Works. I had been waiting for a good sale to come on before I purchased anything. Lo and behold,  they had a number of promotions going on! They had buy 3 get 3 free for items from their signature collections, buy one get one free on their 3-wick candles, and buy 2 mason candles for $22.

You'll notice that I only focused on the candle sales... I figured I've hauled enough body products from The Body Shop to last me for the next couple of months. *fingers crossed*

Green Apple Orchard

This has to be the main reason I wanted to buy candles with my gift card. My sister got this candle in the mason jar for free when she went shopping last month and since then I have been OBSESSED with this scent. So obsessed that I bought 2 of them in both sizes. It really does smell like apples with an extra something to it (duh). Maybe it's the orchard part? I'm not sure, but this scent and another have easily become my top favourite candle scents! I would definitely recommend this one if you like the fruitier scents.

Cranberry Woods

New favourite alert! I can't even begin to describe to you how good this candle smells! It's honestly fruity fall perfection... It's a sweeter scent, which I like, but it has this slight darker dimension to it. In a way, the "woods" part is preventing the scent from being overly sweet. 

I actually have an embarrassing memory attached to this candle. The first time I lit it was on Halloween night. I had a couple of friends over to watch movies while I handed out candy. As we were in the middle of watching The Fault in Our Stars, I decided to blow out the candle as it had been burning for a decent amount of time. After a few of minutes, I went to take another sniff from what I thought had been a solid candle. After I put the candle back down and enjoyed the movie for a couple of minutes, I look down to my sweatpants to find dried pink wax splattered all over my right thigh. I ran to the kitchen to try and get it off. As I was scraping off the wax, I look down to my sweatshirt and noticed more pink wax... At this point, I began to laugh at myself. How ridiculous is this?! I think some of the wax spilt onto the back of my neck as well and I didn't feel any of it when it first made contact with my skin. My friends had no idea what had happened or that I even left the room until they heard my giggles from the kitchen. 

And to top it off, my friend took a picture of me in my waxy state and posted it in her story on Snapchat. In the caption she may have given the impression that the pink was puke when it was in fact wax. I have good friends, I know...

Long story short, make sure a candle is fully solid before picking it up to sniff its addicting aroma. Learn from my mistakes...

Wasabi Apple

This candle was a last minute decision as I needed to have 2 mason jars to take advantage of the sale. It appears I might have a thing for apples? Again, this candle is quite fruity, but the wasabi gives it a different dimension. Almost like a more sophisticated version of the Green Apple Orchard candle. I still haven't lit this one yet but I'm super excited to find out how it smells. 

Pumpkin Apple

I actually got this candle for free as I think they had a coupon where if you spend a certain amount of money you get a free item. I'm so glad I picked this up! This smells so good! It definitely reminds me smells more fall than the Wasabi Apple and Green Apple Orchard scents but I have to say it probably smells a bit sweeter than the Cranberry Woods scent.

Again, do we see the apple theme going on right now? How did I not notice this while I was in the store...

Overall, I would highly recommend getting any of the candles mentioned above! They all smell awesome and help warm up the house as it is starting to get colder out. (We finally have snow on the ground!) 

What's your favourite Bath and Body Works candle?

- Amelia

Birthday Goodies

This Delicate Asian Beast is now 19!

Last week, I celebrated by champagne birthday. To celebrate my day of birth, I decided to splurge and buy myself a little something that I have been wanting for a while. I'm also going to include a couple of things I picked up with a birthday coupon I received! October is honestly my favourite month to check my emails because birthday coupons just make life better...

Anyway, here's what I got!

** I took these pictures after dinner on my deck because I procrastinated on this post.. That's why the pictures are a little different today. Don't judge me.

Shiseido

To start of this birthday haul, I picked up another Nourishing Mascara Base from Shiseido. I'm planning to do a review on this product soon so I don't want to say too much about this. But since I am repurchasing this, there is a good chance that I'm digging this product... (hint hint, nudge nudge)

While I was at the Shiseido counter, the girl at the counter asked if I wanted the bronzy champagny(?) bag that is pictured above. She said she didn't have enough room for them so I got one for free! I didn't know that the bag was actually apart of Shiseido's gift! To top that off, when she found out if was my birthday, she threw in the smaller makeup bag and an oil cleanser. Basically, I got everything pictured above for free. The only thing I actually paid for was the Nourishing Mascara Base that cost me around $20 after my discount!

Here is a list of all the free samples I got from Shiseido:

• Ultimate Cleansing Oil for Face/Body
• Lipstick in "Perfect Rouge"
• White Lucent: Brightening Cleansing Foam
• Refining Makeup Primer
• Lacquer Gloss (doesn't say what colour it is)
• Bio-Performance: Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream

The Body Shop

Would you believe me if I told you I only paid $5 for all this stuff, even after tax?! The Honey Bronzer retails for $20 and each eyeshadow is worth $10. The entire purchase retails for $40. Because of the buy two get one free promotion, I got one of the $10 eyeshadows for free, plus my $10 off birthday coupon made the other eyeshadow free. I then redeemed 4 points which equals to $15. That is how I only paid $5 for all 3 products. Crazy, I know! I feel like I'm Tati during her Madness Monday videos. (In case you're wondering, I got the Honey Bronzer in 02)

Caramel Flirt (205)

Brownie & Clyde (225)

These are the 2 eyeshadows I picked up. I've never tried The Body Shop's eyeshadows before so hopefully I get on well with them. I have a feeling I'm going to love these simply because swatching them in store was honestly heavenly. They are super smooth and have a good amount of pigmentation. I find the colours on the website don't look the same as they do in person. If you are interested in any of their eyeshadows, I suggest you check them out in store first if possible! 

Sephora

I had run out of my Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray so I went back to get more. I decided I would get the big one as I've gone through 2 of the smaller bottles. I think I've tried out their setting spray enough to justify buying the big size. Unfortunately, they didn't have any of the All-Nighter sprays in the larger size, so I decided to give the De-Slick one a try. I have combination skin so I was hoping this would work for me. 

I also redeemed a 100 point mascara while I was checking out. I've heard alot of buzz around Buxom products recently so I wanted to give their mascara a go. I have been considering redeeming the Marc Jacobs mascara for a couple weeks now and wanted to redeem it as well but they didn't have anymore. Note to self: don't hesitate on 100 point redemption's, just do it. 

*I've used the spray for about a week now and I think I've come to the solution that the De-Slick works better for me than the All-Nighter.

These are the samples I got with my purchases. I haven't tried any of them yet but I thought I'd share them with you because free stuff.. Am I right? I love the idea of getting perfume samples but I find I never like the scent. It seems like I always get the super florally, on the edge of old woman perfumes. I don't know, maybe it's just me.

This is the moment we're all been waiting for, the main reason for this blog post. This is a little something I got as a gift for myself. Yes, it is the infamous Naked palette from Urban Decay. After I bought the Naked 2, I've been debating which one I wanted to get next, the original or the 3rd one. The cost had also been holding me back from making this purchase but I figured you only turn 19 once, just do it. So I did. I've been using it for about a week now and I'm definitely loving it! 

Do you buy yourself gifts for special occasions? Is there anything you've been dying to buy yourself?

- Amelia

Hopping on the Bandwagon

First off, I'd like to apologize for the lack of posts the last couple of weeks. I've been busy with school but I have time right now to sneak in a quick post.

Over the past few months, possibly a year, I've been contemplating whether or not I should buy the two products I'll be mentioning in this post. They are two products that literally everyone has. They have been featured at least once in EVERY SINGLE beauty channel that I watch.

You may be wondering what two products I'm talking about...

Yes, they are the Beauty Blender and Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer!

These products have been reviewed and mentioned so much that I'm sure everyone knows about them. Instead of giving a full blown review on the products, I thought I'd give a quick run through of what I like and don't like about the products, and if they're worth the hype that surrounds them. I've had a chance to try these products out and I think I've developed a decent opinion on them.

Beauty Blender

I'll start off with the Beauty Blender. I've always been skeptical of the Beauty Blender. I never really understood the whole applying foundation with a sponge thing until I used this product. It's definitely a lot different from using a brush! Here is a quick overview of my thoughts on the Beauty Blender.

Pros

• Blends makeup well
• Leaves the skin looking slightly dewy and stops make up from looking cakey
• Easy to use
• Tapered edge is great for small nooks and crannies

Cons

• Expensive (for a sponge..)
• Hard to clean
• Might not provide enough coverage for those who want a fuller coverage

I want to quickly talk about how I use the Beauty Blender and what I found works best for my skin. Before I start, I just want to mention that the first time you squish the Beauty Blender like the way you see in videos, is very satisfying. It was a bit of a surreal moment for me, not going to lie!

Anyway, I start off by wetting the sponge and drying it by squeezing out the water and giving it one last dry with a towel. Then I like to dab the foundation onto my face with my fingers and quickly blend it out with my brush. Then I go in with the Beauty Blender and use it all over my face. I find it very hard to bring the foundation down to my neck with the Beauty Blender. I like the way the sponge finishes the foundation but I find it a little hard to blend it out everywhere. I find if I use the brush first, I get better coverage than if I were to use the Beauty Blender alone. I basically use a combo of both tools when applying foundation. 

My one pet peeve of the Beauty Blender, aside from the price (yikes!), would be the cleaning process. I feel like I have to clean it after each use but I don't have time to do that especially in the mornings when I'm trying to catch the bus. Other than that, I'm very happy with the Beauty Blender! It isn't for everybody but if you are interested and are willing to pay the price, I would definitely suggest you pick it up!

Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer

I have more of a problem with puffy eyes (lack of sleep?) than with dark circles but I've seen people apply this product SO MANY times that I had to get it just to see what it was like (it was on sale, don't worry!). I haven't used this long enough to notice any effects but here are some pros and cons that I have noticed since I've started using the concealer.

Pros

• Very blendable 
• Stays on all day

Cons

• Applicator and lid can start to look gross after a couple of applications

I find that throughout the day, the foundation underneath my eyes seems to disappear. I've noticed that when I use this concealer, the foundation doesn't disappear as much. So if you suffer from the same problem, give this a try and see if it helps!

I'm glad I gave these products a try! I can see why everybody raves about them.

Are there any products that you want to jump on the bandwagon of? Anything you've been dying to try?

- Amelia

REVIEW: Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask

I'm definitely someone who likes to research different products before I purchase them, especially if it's skincare. I like to know if they're effective, the pros, the cons, and basically just how others have got on with the product. I would highly recommend doing this whether the product you're interested in is expensive or cheap. We may as well try to save money if we have resources that can give us a glimpse of what we can expect from the product.

Because I always research products before purchasing them, I'm shocked to say that this was an impulse purchase. I went in to get the 10 minute acne mask from Origins and ended up leaving with one plus this hydration mask. What's even more shocking is, this is my first time ever buying a mask targeted towards hydration. Now that I look back on it, how did I justify this purchase in store?! It's skincare, I've never researched it and have never tried a hydration mask. Talk about being contradicting...

Time for the Review

When you squeeze the product out of the bottle, you'll notice that it looks just like a cream or a moisturizer. It isn't a coloured mask or anything. It also has a scent to it that I kind of like. It's really hard to explain... Slightly fruity? I'm not sure. I've been sniffing it for the past 5 minutes now and it's either starting to smell different every time I get a whiff of it or I can't smell anything at all. Either way, I don't find it irritating but some may not like the smell of it. I wouldn't say the scent is overwhelming or anything but you can definitely smell it for a couple minutes after applying it to your face. After those first few minutes you can't smell it at all.

I like to put this on as if it were a moisturizer. You don't need to use a lot of product as it glides over the skin very easily. I'd say use about the size of a dime to the size of a nickel. After squeezing it on to my palm, I rub my hands together to spread out the product and rub it all over my face. This is an overnight mask so you don't need to wash it off until the next morning which is awesome! I'm super lazy so I hate washing off masks. Especially the ones where you really have to rub hard to get it off. 

Max amount I would use to cover my entire face

Over the last month, I've been using this mask either after I use any acne targeting masks and/or right before I go to bed. I mentioned in a previous haul, that Estee from Essiebutton, recommended using a hydration mask after a drying/acne targeting mask. My skin was acting up after the long drive to Minneapolis, so I decided to take her advice and give a hydration mask a go. 

Boy, am I glad I gave this product a try! When I wake up the next morning, my skin feels so good! *cue the singing angels* My skin is super soft and any dry patches that may have formed due to the use of acne treatments have vanished! You know what I've talking about, that patch of skin surrounding a blemish that you just can't cover up... This mask definitely fixed that problem for me! 

My skin feels ridiculously healthy after using this product. I honestly can't recommend this enough! Perfect for those with dry skin or have any dry patches from using acne products. In a way, I feel like this mask helps counteract the negatives of using acne treatments and allows you to have the best of both worlds when it comes to skin. You can still use your favourite acne spot treatment that tends to be drying. Just use this mask after to prevent the ring of dry skin.

Pros

• Affordable (it's $25 but you use a small amount every time)
• Easy to use
• Works while you sleep
• Don't have to time how long it's been on your face (perfect for my fellow lazy people out there)
• Smells good
• Gets the job done
• Doesn't feel too heavy
• Leaves the skin feeling fantastic the next morning
• Could be soothing for those with irritated skin
• Gets rid of dry rings around blemishes

Cons

• Scent may irritate some people
• May be overly hydrating for those with oily skin

I seriously can't think of any other cons... It's just a life saver for the skin. It really rejuvenates the skin and balances every thing out. If you're unsure about this product or don't want to spend the money before trying it, I would suggest getting a sample of it. When I first used this I immediately noticed results. I didn't have to use it for a couple weeks before I noticed a difference. 

Overall, I think this is a phenomenal overnight mask! It does what it's supposed to do at a relatively affordable price. I believe that this is a fool-proof product and it will definitely have a permanent spot in my skin care routine! Again, I don't think I can recommend this enough!

What are some masks that you can't live without? What type of mask do you prefer using the most? (Acne targeted, hydration, exfoliation, etc.)

-Amelia

Drugstore Haul #3

I'm going to take a small break from the Minneapolis Haul to quickly show you what I got at a recent stop to the drugstore. A friend sent me a snap on Snapchat of a Physicians Formula display she saw at Shoppers Drug Mart. Everything from the brand was on sale! You can thank her snap for this haul!

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Jumbo Lash Mascara

I finally got my hands on this mascara! I've been wanting to try this out for so long! I've heard great things about the brand and specifically this mascara. I'm a contact lens wearer and my eyes are usually pretty good with all mascaras with one exception. Because of the exception, I've been interested in trying out a mascara that is organic. Anyway, the sale for Physicians Formula products was 40% off, so I was finally able to justify buying this mascara.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Lash Boosting Mascara

I originally went in to buy the Jumbo Lash mascara but because of the sale, I decided to take a look at the mascara beside it. I'm glad I did! I usually shy away from the Physicians Formula section as everything is super expensive considering it's a drugstore brand. This mascara claims to enhance the length, thickness, and volume of your lashes. I've tried this out a couple times and so far it's been pretty awesome. The brush is a little big but it's manageable. 

Essence "All About Nudes" Eyeshadow Palette

This was a bit of an impulse buy. I have been looking for a dupe for Too Faced's Silk Teddy. One of the colours in this palette looks quite similar. I still need to physically compare them but I'm hoping they're a match. I also really like the other colours in this palette. They're all wearable shades, especially the dark brown colour. I'm not going to be upset if this palette doesn't contain a dupe for Silk Teddy as it was only $4.99! If this palette works out well, I'm definitely interested in trying out Essence's All About Chocolate palette. 

Essie in "No More Film"

This may come at a bit of a surprise, but I bought nail polish! For some reason I'm not a fan of nail polish. I find it heavy and I feel like I can't do anything with my hands when I have polish on my fingers. I've recently been giving nail polish a try once again. It doesn't seem to bother my toes as much as my fingers. I've been reaching for clear coats or pale pinks, but because Fall is fast approaching, I decided to try out a darker shade. I kind of wanted to go black but my friend who is a polish ADDICT, convinced me to dry a different dark shade. I took her advice and went with this deep purple. From a far, my nails look black but up close or in the light you can definitely tell that it's purple. Not sure why, but I find that super cool! I love it so much I'm considering putting some on my fingernails. Still a bit skeptical but who knows, I might give it a try.

Have you recently bought a drugstore product that you've been dying to try? What shade of nail polish is your favourite to wear during the fall season?

- Amelia

Skin Care | Minneapolis Haul

As promised, here's the second instalment of the Minneapolis Haul! I believe if you're gonna splurge on anything beauty, it should be skincare. I think of it this way, if my skin is in good condition, I won't feel the need to use as much makeup, which in turn will save me money. But will it really save me more money if I'm spending more on different products? It's a theory that I'm still working on but for now I'm gonna stick with splurging on skincare is okay.  

Victoria's Secret Smoothing Body Scrub

This was my first time going into Victoria Secret and actually coming out with a purchase. I thought they only sold creams, so you can imagine how excited I got when I found out they also carried body scrubs! I've used a couple of them now and I'm really enjoying them. They aren't harsh so they're perfect for everyday use, yet they're still effective. The scrub also fully dissolves if you scrub long enough almost acting as a body wash. As of right now, I've only tried Secret Charm and Pure Daydream. So far Pure Daydream is my favourite!

Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action Pads

I've heard about Clearasil products before, but I never really gave them a chance until I saw one of my friends using some of their products while we were away. It's interesting to see what other people do to unwind after a long day. She mentioned that their products have worked really well for her so I decided to give their Rapid Action Pads a try. Plus they were on sale at Target so I couldn't pass that up.


Origins Out of Trouble Mask

I love Origins, like alot. No one will ever understand my love for Origins. Obsession aside, this mask was a must needed purchase. After the 8 hour drive to Minneapolis, a friend and I noticed that our skin was breaking out pretty bad. Unfortunately, I forgot the mask I was going to bring in my room, so I had to go out and buy one asap! I had never tried this before, but I knew I could trust it because it's from Origins. My skin seems to really mesh well with their products. So far, I'm loving it! Now that I think about it, I might just have to make a post dedicated to Origins...


Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask

This was a bit of an impluse buy fuelled by something Estee said in one of her videos. She recommended using a hydrating mask after using an acne targeting mask as they can be stripping. Plus, I've always wanted to try out overnight masks. With all that in mind, it made handing over the $25 a lot easier. My skin always feels so good when I wake up the next morning after using this product. I definitely recommend trying out this mask if you use any kind of acne treatment or have dry skin. It just makes your skin look 10x better than it did the night before. 

Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Overnight Treatment

When we went to Sephora, we were told that they didn't really have any overnight masks that focused on getting rid of acne. Most of their overnight masks are geared towards hydration. Anyway, on our last day we stopped into Ulta and I picked up this bad boy. After our disappointment in Sephora, we were excited to see this. I have heard good things about Dermalogica but I've never used any of their products before. Since I've purchased it, I've used it quite a bit and I'm happy to report that this is awesome! I haven't had any trouble with drying when I use this, so I highly recommend this product if you suffer from acne. It's also only $19! Compared to acne treatments found at the drugstore, this is a steal because of it's size!

Last, but not least, one of the specific number one products I wanted to get on this trip (I had 3 number one things. Don't judge me...)

Clarisonic Mia

I've finally jumped on the Clarisonic band wagon! I've used facial brushes before and I found they did wonders for my skin. The two brushes I owned before were a lot cheaper than this one (~$10-30) but I thought I'd splurge because it's related to skincare and my brush was getting a little nasty... Definitely glad I caved! I did however cheap out and bought the Mia but I figured I didn't need to spend an extra $50 just for another speed setting. My basket at Sephora was also reaching full capacity so I had to think about how much I was spending. So far I'm loving it though! 

What's your holy grail skin care product? Do you have a favourite skincare brand/line?

-Amelia