Nov, Dec & Jan Empties

Combining empties from the last couple of months. 

Makeup:

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

Covergirl Plumpify Pro Blast Waterproof Mascara

Covergirl Plumplify has been my favorite drug store mascara for a while. But ever since I got the Covergirl So Lashy, that has become my new favorite as I prefer the brush better.

Skincare:

Shiseido White Lucent Eye Cream

IOPE Bio Hydro Cream

Origins United State Toner

Skin Inc. Deep Sea Hydrating Mask

Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm

Fresh Soy Cleanser

Dermalogica Precleanse

Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover

L'occitane Lip Balm

IOPE Bio Hydro Cream is such a good hydrating day cream. I started using this in the summer and well into fall. The scent is amazing and not sticky. It is perfect for the summer but not so much for the drier months. Will definitely get another one in the summer.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm is my go-to lip balm. I was addicted to the Dior one but not a big fan of the hefty price tag. This one is much more affordable and just as moisturizing. This jar last me a good year and I apply that daily.

Bath & Body:

EO Organic Deodorant

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash

Candles:

Went through a whole bunch of candles over the holiday season. Found my new favorite from Bath and Body Works which is the Peppermint Marshmallow. It is a much more subtle than the Twisted Peppermint which I find too strong now. Another all-time favorite is their Winter Candy Apple. I am glad they bring it back every Christmas.

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Hera UV Mist Cushion Moisture

I have been using cushion foundation for a few years. I have tried a couple Korean brands and my current one is the IOPE. The coverage is light to medium and it looks very natural on the skin. What I love most is the dewiness of cushion foundation. I have oily combination skin and I like to use it mostly in the cooler months so my skin wouldn't look too greasy.

I am almost out of my IOPE one and it is time to try a new one.

Hera UV Mist Cushion Ultra Moisture No. 23 Beige

I have only tried a lipstick from Hera and quite impressed with it. So I picked their new version of mist cushion which claims to provide extra moisture and deep-hydration. Winter would be perfect time to try this out.

No. 23 Beige

It is your typical package for cushion foundation. Embossed with Hera in the middle of the pan. It looks quite dark in the pan but when you swatch it, it is much lighter.

To show the coverage, below is the picture of a mold on my arm.

Here is the coverage of just one light swatch. It does not cover the mold completely. So I would say this is medium coverage.

Left: Hera in No. 23 Beige

Right: IOPE Air Cushion XP Cover in 23

Both IOPE and Hera are under the same umbrella of company, Amore Pacific, so the shades are quite similar.

Left: Hera 

Right: IOPE

Comparing the two, the coverage of HERA is slightly better. It is much more moisturizing and dewy. One major difference is the strong fragrant scent for HERA. If you are very sensitive to scent in your foundation, you may not like this.  It does linger on the skin throughout the day. For my review on the IOPE one, you can read my review on IOPE here. 

I find both IOPE and Hera very similar. The wear time for me in the winter is about 4 or 5 hours. Since Hera is more hydrating, I find it a bit sticky after a few hours. Not to a point where I feel the need to blot.  I think Hera would be more suitable for normal to dry skin. However, this new version claims to be more deep hydrating than the regular version. So maybe in the summer time when I am finished with this, I would try the regular version.

Pricewise, Hera is a bit more pricier. Both IOPE and Hera cushion come with one refill. Depending on where you are getting it, price is around CAD $50. My IOPE one last me a while. Whenever it feels drier in the pan, I flip the cushion to the other side and can use it for another few weeks.

Have you tried any cushion foundation?

Skin Inc. Serum Set

I have been using Skin Inc. serum for a few months and happy with the results. I got the My Mask Cocktail Kit during the Sephora VIB sale in the fall and it is an excellent way to try out different serums in deluxe sample sizes before jumping onboard for full-sized ones as the serum is not cheap.

My Daily Dose Custom Blended Serum Set

I got the custom blended serum set which includes 3 serums of your choice and an empty bottle so you could blend the serum. But I personally prefer to use the dropper and dispense a few drops of serum in addition to my moisturizer or Skin Inc. hydrating mask. 

I picked the Collagen, Licorice and Coenzyme Q10 serum from a choice of 9 different ones. I have tried both Collagen and Licorice which I love. Collagen serum helps with adding elasticity and firmness to your skin. Also helps with fine lines and wrinkles. Licorice serum really helps with calming irritated skin and dryness. Whenever my skin is acting up, I put a few drops of licorice serum together with my night moisturizer and the next day when I wake up, the redness is gone and calm. Coenzyme Q10 energizes and renew. So I am guessing it would perform similarly to the Collagen one.

The custom blended set is CAD $112. I was going to get just the one serum at $58 so with 3 serum at that price, it is a good deal to get the set. Skin care products are so expensive and I highly recommend to try out samples before going out and buy the full-sized ones. You really need to try out the products consistently for at least a week or two to know if they work for your skin or not. 

Have you tried any product from Skin Inc.?

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First Purchase from TooFaced.com

Ever since I got my Too Faced Chocolate Chip palette last month, I have been so impressed by their eyeshadow pigmentation, and also the delicious chocolate scent. I still have my eyes set on their limited edition matte chocolate chip palette exclusive to TooFaced.com.

I caught an awesome deal after Christmas when TooFaced.com offered 40% off their website as an apology to their customers at the launch of their Sweet Peach Collection(a lot of people placed their orders for a long time and still haven't received their orders.) Also found a free shipping code which makes the deal even sweeter. This is my first time placing an order with TooFaced.com and even though I read so many negative reviews about their recent purchases on their website, I am very happy with my experience with them and will definitely buy from them again. At the time I placed my order, I knew that TooFaced.com would be closed first week of January for inventory and orders would be shipped afterwards. I got my order via BorderFree in 10 business days(including their closed week) so not bad at all.

I decided to pick up 2 limited edition eyeshadow palettes which are not available at Sephora.ca.

Matte Chocolate Chip

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Matte Chocolate Chip(left)

Original Chocolate Bar(right)

I have been using the Chocolate Bar palette for the whole month and loving it. This is how it compares to the Matte Chocolate Chip in size. It is about half the size and much more travel-friendly. 

So excited to try my new palettes out.

Sephora 2017 Tarte Birthday Gift Set

Sephora has new birthday sets for 2017. Here is the Tarte blush and lip paint set. I love their Amazonian clay blush and the shade is an exclusive shade called Paaarty.

Paaarty is a pink shade with a hint of light lavender which is matte with no shimmers. This shade would look great in a lot of skin tones. Very natural and flattering. 

The lip paint is in the shade Birthday Suit which is a very light nude pink which I can only wear it with some darker lip liner applied first so I wouldn't look totally washed-out. I have tried a deluxe sample of the Tarte lip paint in Namaste which is also a very nude shade. The formula is a bit streaky but not drying.

Overall, very happy with this set. I think it is one of the best sets from Sephora in recent years.

There is also a Caudalie skin care set and a Jack Black Moisturizer/cleanser set which is only available on Sephora.com. 

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