March Favorites

I have been loving illuminating products this month. I was never into these as I thought with my oily combination skin, illuminating products would make my face look super shiny. Was I wrong the whole time. 

It's Judy Time Eyeshadow Palette by BH Cosmetics

Benefit's Gimme Brow

Maybelline Color Sensation Lipstick in 970 Nude Embrace

NYX Lip Butter in Raspberry Tart

It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation Illumination(here)

Hourglass Ambient Blush in Diffused Heat

Dior Creme de Rose

I got the It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation Illumination in a set a few months back from the Shopping Channel. I have bee loving the natural illuminating glow lately. Not sure if I'm addicted to watching Korean soap and am amazed by how flawless and luminous the Korean actresses' skin look. I have this in the shade medium and it gives medium to full coverage and you get the prettiest illuminating effect on the entire face. 

If you watch beauty tutorials from youtube, you will know It's Judy Time. She has an eyeshadow palette with BH cosmetics and I got it around Christmas time. I was more into the matte natural shades when I first got the palette. But lately, I have been loving the purple and plums. The shadows are very pigmented.

Hourglass Ambient Blush in Diffused Heat has been my go-to all month long. It is so pretty and pigmented.

Dior Creme de Rose is my favorite lip balm this month. So creamy and buttery. I apply this both in the morning and before bed. Keep my lips moisturized and my lips have not been in this hydrated condition for a long time.

When I feel like doing a simple brow with minimal makeup, I use Benefit's Gimme Brow. It has the tiniest brush and enough pigmentation to nicely shape your brows. Only downside of this is the scent. Fortunately, it does not linger.

Favorite lip combination is my Maybelline Color Sensation Lipstick in Nude Embrace with NYX Lip Butter in Raspberry Tart. They are in the same color family and work perfectly together. 

What are your favorites this month? Do you shop in your own stash or have you discovered new products?

**** Last day to enter my Spring Favorites Giveaway ****

Sephora VIB Rouge Spring Social Event Wish List

Sephora is having its VIB Rouge Spring Social Event from March 30 to April 11. VIB Rouge members are having a couple of more days to shop than the regular VIB members to enjoy the 15 % off purchases using ROUGETICKET at checkout or in stores.

I am eyeing on a few items and may get a couple of backups for skin care products to take advantage of the sale.

1. Hourglass Ambient Blush in Mood Exposure
2. Clinique Cheek Pop in Ginger Pop
3. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
4. DiorShow Fusion Mono Eyeshadow in Celeste
5. Benefit Big Easy Liquid to Powder SPF Foundation
6. NARS Narsissist Eyeshadow Palette

1 more day to enter my Spring Favorites Giveaway

Spring Favorites Giveaway

Maybelline Buff Lipsticks Limited Edition

Seems I have a pattern in buying lipsticks. Once I find a formula I love, I would buy multiples from the collection. I have 3 of the Maybellien Buff lipsticks and they released a limited edition of 4 new ones and I got 2 of them.

Left: 960 Barely Bronze

Right: Nude Embrace

The packaging is the same as the permanent line.

Only difference is they put stickers of limited edition on.

Left: Barely Bronze

Right: Nude Embrace

Barely Bronze is a very pretty rose gold/bronze with shimmer. I don't usually like shimmer/frost finish lippies but when applied, it is not as shimmery as it is shown on skin. 

Barely Bronze

Nude Embrace is a mauve pink shade with sheen finish. It swatches quite dark on skin but when applied, it is not. It is "just your lips but better" shade. 

Nude Embrace

The other 2 shades are Ravishing Rose which is a very pink with shimmer and Raw Reveal is a tan/brownish tone with shimmer. 

I am really loving the nudes lipsticks for the spring. I love the Maybelline Color Sensational formula as they are very creamy and easy to apply. They don't dry out my lips and seem to last a good few hours. Check out my other shades from this collection in this post.

Are you a fan of nude lipstick? What is your favorite?

GlamGlow Treatments Which is Worth Its Bucks?

Last year I started to use GlamGlow treatments. Reason why I was delaying on making my purchases was their price point. They are quite pricey in my opinion. Over the course of the past few months, I have tried all 4 of their treatments and decided to do a brief post in case any of you want to try the product and hopefully help you decide which one is for you.

First up is the YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment(the one in the black jar). I got this slightly smaller jar with the SuperMud in a set. The regular size is 1.7 oz for CAD$69. This is an excellent exfoliate mask treatment. I apply an even layer on my skin and within the next 20 seconds after application, you would experience a quite intense tingling sensation. If you have very sensitive skin, I don't recommend this. You leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse off. The treatment has some herb-like chunks in it and as you rinse it off, you gently exfoliate your skin to get all the dirt and dead skin out. 

Second is the SuperMud Clearing Treatment(the one in the white jar). This is 1.2 oz and CAD $69. I use this to clear pores mainly. I also use this as a spot-treatment whenever I have a small breakout. To make the most of my bucks, I use a foundation brush to apply the mask. You want an even layer for best results. You leave it on for 20-25 mins and rinse off. Within first use, I see immediate result. Pores are tightened and minimized. Skin is significantly softer. See my post for a full review. 

Third is the ThirstyMud Hydrating Treatment(the one in the aqua jar). 1.7 oz for CAD $69. I have oily combination skin but for the long dry winter months in Canada, I need a hydrating mask to help with the occasional dry patches. There are 2 ways to use this. You can apply the treatment and leave it on for 20 mins, rinse off before you apply your regular skincare products and makeup. The second way is to apply the mask overnight. Let your skin drink up all the goodies from the treatment and when you wake up, you would be amazed by how soft and hydrated your skin is. This mask also smell amazing. It is like they stuff many coconuts into the jar. See this post for a review.

Last one is the BrightMud Eye Treatment. You get it in a set of 12 treatments for CAD $69. One set consists of 2 sides. One for your left eye and one for your right. I find it is a bit too much so I use one for both eyes. It has cooling effects for your under eye and you leave it on for 10 mins before rinsing off. I have used them a few times but unfortunately don't see a significant improvement. I use these at night and I am not sure if these are better used in the morning when my dark circles and puffiness occur. 

My absolute favorite is the SuperMud Clearing Treatment. I use it approximately 2-3 times a week and the jar lasted me over 3 months. Just apply it with a foundation brush for even layer and you won't waste a lot of product. Second favorite is the YouthMud Tinglexfoliate treatment. Excellent exfoliater and if you want to try the deluxe sample size(0.5 oz), the little jar lasts 3-4 uses. The ThirstyMud Hydrating treatment is great for dry skin. With the warmer weather approaching, I don't see much use of the treatment for the coming months personally. But if you have extremely dry skin, it is perfect for all year round use. My least favorite is the BrightMud Eye Treatment. It is very expensive even if I could make it last for 24 uses as I don't see significant improvement.

Hopefully this post will help you decide which GlamGlow treatment works best for you.

** Still a week left to enter my Spring Favorites Giveaway **

Bath & Body Works Candles Haul

Very excited to get some spring/summer 3 wick candles from Bath & Body Works. As much as I love their holiday collection, it is always refreshing to get some new scents.

When I was in Toronto a couple of weeks ago, Bath & Body Works had the promotion for all 3-wick candles, 2 for $22. It seems like they are constantly having these awesome sales so it is wise not to get them on regular price.  Another deal was I used up one of those spend $30 and get $10 off receipt coupons which is great. You just have to do an easy online survey and get the validation code, write down on the receipt and present to the cashier on your next purchase. I split my purchases into 2 to take full advantage of the deal. With 4 3-wick candles, one antibacterial hand soap, one nail file(not shown here) and 3 hand sanitizers for around $40 including tax.

Cheers to Capri & Coconut Leaves

These 2 are new scents to me. Cheers to Capri is a refreshing scent inspired by the Italian drink, Lemoncella.  If you like citrusy scent this one is heavenly. Coconut Leaves just reminds you of the warm tropics filled with coconut mixed with papaya and tangerine. 

Island Margarita & Pineapple Mango

These 2 are repeat purchases. I have bought 2 or more Pineapple Mango candles before and absolutely love it. Island Margarita is my second one. These 2 are just perfect for the warmer weather. They are not too overpowering nor too sweet-scented. I have learnt not to get candles which are too sweet as they tend to give me headaches after you burn them for  a couple of hours.

What are your favorite scented candles for spring?

TopBox March 2014

Received my TopBox for March today. This month, I chose the Philosophy prive box. It was an easy choice as I love Philosophy products and I have not tried many of the brand except Hope in Jar(highly-raved moisturizer which was included in Oprah's Favorite Things), some lip balms and shower gel.

There are 4 products included in this month's box:

Miracle Worker Overnight -an age resetting, anti-wrinkle moisturizer designed to help visibly improve the look of skin. Key ingredients for nighttime rejuvenation include algae extract, a uniue milk peptide complex, hydrators to lock in moisture while you sleep and vitamin C and lactic acide which enhance radiance for miraculous mornings.

Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Concentrate - featuring breakthrough peptide technology that bolsters skin's natural ability to self rejuvenate as it helps support natural collagen, results in increased firmness.

Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Lactic Acid Cleanser & Mask - gentle exfoliate skin with lactic acid as it completely cleanses and conditions for more radiant, youthful-looking skin. The creamy formula completely removes surface dirt and oil while leaving skin soft.

Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Eye Retinoid Repair - this high-performance retinoid delivers all the benefits of retinoid with less potential for irritation.

I am quite excited to receive all the products. It is a complete set, including cleanser, exfoliater, eye cream and an overnight moisturizer. However, they are not in impressive deluxe sizes. They are slightly bigger than the sample sizes given out from Sephora. Anyway, I'm happy to get this month's Philosophy Prive box as I know I will use them all up.

Are you happy with your March Topbox?

More NYX Butter Glosses

Yes, I got more NYX butter glosses. That tell you how much I love these drugstore lip glosses.

I got three of them earlier (see my previous post) on the shades I got. This time I got some lighter pink shades but find the lighter shades not as pigmented as the darker ones and they are very sheer. In other words, they are quite similar. My favorite of the new bunch is BLG15 Angle Food Cake which is a nice mauve.

For drugstore, these NYX Butter glosses are really awesome for their price. If you are in the States, they are much easier to get a hold of than here in Canada(I got mine through ebay). The texture is not tacky and they are easy to apply and blend well. Perfect for on-the-go as you don't need a mirror to apply :)

I have included one of the NYX Butter Glosses in my Spring Favorites Giveaway, so check it out!

Spring Favorites Giveaway

Can we all agree that this winter is sooooooooooo long and we are counting the days till first sign of spring arrives.

I have put together a few of my favorites and decided to do a Spring Favorites Giveaway :)

Crabtree & Evelyn Lily Hand Therapy

Kat Von D Everlasting Love Liquid Lipstick in Backstage Bambi

NYX Butter Gloss in Cupcake

Too Faced Lip Insurance

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 hour blush in Exposed

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Mushroom

Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens

This giveaway is open internationally for 2 weeks through Rafflecopter. A winner will be picked by Random.org and I will contact the winner here in my blog and by email. So make sure you leave me your email address. Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Miscellaneous Friday

Chicken Cob with Avocado salad @ Panera Bread

Panera Bread has been my favorite lunch spot. So happy they opened their first location in Ottawa. Nothing beats a refreshing salad. 

I love their strawberry poppyseed salad in the summer. Hoping they will have that in their summer menu this year.

When I was in Toronto last week to visit my family, it was such nice spring weather. Finally wore some short sleeved with a light jacket out instead of layering up. I got this nice soft cotton turtleneck from Target for only $6. Pairing with my favorite Zara leggings.

Had a delicious Japanese dinner at Edo's (@Hilton Suite in Markham). I love Japanese food and what a treat.

Forgot to mention this Lush Prince Charming shower gel in my Feb favorites. This is from their Valentine's Day limited edition collection. The scent is just absolutely amazing. It is a mixture of grapefruit, marshmallow, pomegranate, almond etc.  I got this small bottle to try and after my first use, I knew that I am in love and quickly ran back to get the large bottle before they sell out.

BaBybliss Pro Volare HairDryer

I just received this beautiful-looking hairdryer as a belated birthday gift from my brother.

I never thought I would say a hairdryer is beautiful but this one is.

This is the Babyliss Pro Volare Dryer with Ferrari designed engines. Yes, Ferrari designed engines. When I was opening the box, I said to myself: Ferrari, hairdyer? How are they related?

TWO WORLD INDUSTRY LEADERS – 140 YEARS OF ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE.

A unique collaboration between two of the world's most visionary and successful companies brings forth a new era in professional styling!

FERRARI: the world's most respected manufacturer of high-performance luxury automobiles, with world-famous championship cars capturing over 5000 victories on racetracks and roadways all over the world.
BABYLISS: the leading manufacturer of top-quality professional hair appliances, with record sales in more than 100 countries, making it the driving force behind the professional beauty industry.

Introducing BaByliss®PRO Volare™. This powerful high-performance professional luxury dryer is made in Italy and driven by an ultra-efficient high-speed turbo powered engine – designed and built exclusively for Babyliss Pro in cooperation with Ferrari. Specially constructed for maximum airflow, minimum weight and low vibration, the Ferrari designed engine delivers faster drying, making the BaByliss PRO Volare THE GRAND PRIX OF STYLING.

I have used this a couple of times already. It is not as heavy as it looks. Relatively quiet than most hairdryers and it cuts the blow drying time by 1/4. So save me lots of time when styling my hair.

To me, this hairdryer is such a deluxe hair tool. It is quite pricey and I am so happy to get this as a gift as I mentioned to my brother once a long time ago that it takes me a while to blow dry my hair and he remembers that. How sweet is that?

March Ipsy Bag 2014

Received my March Ipsy bag in the mail when I got back home from Toronto. I am good this month and did not peek into my Glam room to see what my goodies are sent.

Included this month is 2 full-sized product, 1 deluxe size lipstick and 2 eye masks. The bag is super cute this month. It is designed by Klari Reis(www.klariart.com)It is the first of many series being featured in Ipsy's new artist collection of bags.

Nicole by OPI Nail polish in On What Grounds

BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Get Ready

Be a Bombshell Bora Bora Eyeshadow Quad

Very happy to get the BareMinerals lipstick in Get Ready. Even though it looks quite pink in the picture, in real life, it is a mauve color which is totally up my alley. The Nicole by OPI nail polish is a pretty shade. Seashell aqua is probably the best I could describe the shade. It will be so nice in the summer. The Bombshell eyeshadow quad is a very interesting combination of shades. The copper and aqua shade is something I don't have and it will be fun to try.

Also included are 2 smoothing and relaxing eye patches from Klorane. I have not heard of this brand before. But I love eye patches/masks and lately I have been suffering from tired and puffy eyes. Can't wait to use these on a spa night at home.

Overall, happy with what I got in my March Ipsy bag. One thing about Ipsy is the products are pretty consistent month after month. There were a lot of repeats of brands over the past few months and nice to see new brands.

J. Crew Fitting Room

Today seems like spring has arrived. This winter has been so dreadful and long that 4 degrees really feels like heaven. 

Have not been in the mood for clothes shopping in the winter as every day I just put on a thick turtleneck, my Zara leggings and my trusted and warm Canada Goose parka. Now that spring weather is near, I feel more motivated for clothes shopping.

Vintage cotton silk-back tee in block print in size S(here)

I really like the soft cotton which really feels silky to me.

This is how it looks on the back. For $78, I would not go for this but since they are having the 25% sale, too nice to pass up.

Linen These Are The Days tee in size S(here)

I got a couple of linen tees from J. Crew last summer and really like the fabric. It is not as wrinkly as I thought they would be after wash.

Back zip colorblock sweatshirt in size S(here)

This sweatshirt is quite nice and soft but I am not too crazy about the back zip and side zip on the arms. It just looks kind of funny with the full-on back zipper.

Popover in navy flower bud in size 4(here)

A lot of people don't like J. Crew popover but I am the exception. I like the fit much better than the regular shirt. This one is on sale online but I don't believe it was at the store I visited. So I may grab this online later.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat

Yes, guilty as charged. I got another Hourglass Ambient Blush after my first purchase in the shade Radiant Magenta(see my review). I really enjoy the formula of this blush. It is a mixture of their famous ambient lighting powder with a blush. So when you apply the blush, it is like applying 2 products and give the pretties glow.

my little Sephora haul

One advantage of being a Sephora VIB rouge is it is free shipping with each order. They have new promo so very often that I could place multiple orders just to get the extra goodies. 

Givenchy Le Rouge in 202 Rose Dressing

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

Marc Jacobs Beauty Lash Lifter

What a great set of goodies I received. Talk about luxury. I have never tried Givenchy lipstick and this shade is such a pretty coral reddish shade. I got the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer deluxe sample in another offer and such a nice primer. Excited to try the Marc Jacobs lash lifter. I guess this is like a primer for mascara.

Back to my new blush. I picked Diffused Heat as it is a pretty coral. There are 6 shades available and some are more pigmented than others and with my NC30 skin tone, it is either this or Mood Exposure. From what I see the swatches online, Mood Exposure is so pretty too but it looks like Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed so Diffused Heat it is.

Just look at it, Isn't it so gorgeous? It is a vibrant poppy shade infused with Diffused light powder which is a soft warm yellow powder. 

The swatch is incredibly pigmented and smooth. For some reason, it feels so different with Radiant Magenta. This one is just so smooth, like butter. 

It also feels so much more pigmented than Radiant Magenta. With Radiant Magenta, I usually have to apply a couple of layers to build up to the shade I want. Diffused heat is so pigmented and vibrant that only one swirl in the pan and apply, that's it. So I will have to use a light hand when applying.

I think I have a new favorite. This shade is going to be so perfect for spring and summer. 

Left: Diffused Heat 

Right: Radiant Magenta

Are you falling into the hype of this new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush? 

NYX Butter Gloss

There is a lot of hype about the NYX butter gloss and I am in Canada and Rexall carries NYX but none of the stores near me carry the butter gloss. 

I was in Ottawa a couple of weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised that Paper Destiny at the St. Laurent mall carries these. I did a few swatches and did the sniff test. I have a serious dislike of strong scent from lip glosses(ever since I bought the Rimmel Apocalips online and the strong plastic scent really turned me off) and wanted to make sure they smell ok. They do not have the whole collection of new butter gloss so I got mine on ebay.

I got 3 shades and I picked my usual mauve nude pink shades as they go well with every lipsticks.

BLG07 Tiramisu, BLG17 Ginger Snap & BLG14 Madeline

From left to right: Tiramisu, Ginger Snap & Madeline

I have tried other NYX lip glosses. The texture of those is quite sticky to my taste. But these butter gloss is so smooth. Not as sheer as your regular lip glosses and definitely not sticky. 

Madeline

Ginger Snap

Tiramisu

Madeline and Tiramisu are quite similar. Madeline has more pink in it and Tiramisu has more of a brownish tone. Ginger snap is the darkest of the three I got. There are other brighter pink and red shades in the collection if you prefer those.

Overall, very happy and impressed with NYX butter glosses. They wear well and the name suits them perfectly. They are just like butter. So smooth and creamy on your lips. Typical wear time is a few hours in average. They are going to become staples in my purse. Have you tried these? What are the shades you got?