eos Breast Cancer Awareness Collection

October marks a new year of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and with that comes awareness events, and pink products supporting breast cancer awareness. Most people may not know because it is often hard to talk about, but my mother actually passed away from breast cancer when I was a very young girl. It is comforting to see more people and brands learning to understand and supporting those who've had to deal with breast cancer in their lives, be it themselves or a family member/friend.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Collection is limited edition and 100% of net profits are donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. The collection includes the popular Pomegranate Raspberry Smooth Sphere Lip Balm and Berry Blossom Hand Lotion, and a new limited edition Strawberry Sorbet Smooth Stick Lip Balm. The new Strawberry Smooth Stick is currently only available in this collection, not sold individually although they do have other flavours: Sweet Mint, Vanilla Bean, and Pomegranate Raspberry.

All eos products are always paraben and gluten free and contain natural ingredients. Both lip products are 100% natural and USDA certified organic.

The Strawberry Sorbet Smooth Stick Lip Balm feels buttery soft, isn't sticky, and melts onto the lips. It smells lip strawberries and there is no bad taste to it. It is quite small at 0.14oz/4g but I am loving the buttery softness it gives my lips! It contains ingredients such as shea butter and jojoba oil. 

Included next is the popular Smooth Sphere Lip Balm in Pomegranate Raspberry. 

I reviewed similar balms a while back here, and the Visibly Soft line here. It is almost double the size of the Smooth Stick Balm, 0.25oz/7g and also contains shea butter and jojoba oil. It is also moisturizing on the lips but not quite as buttery as the Smooth Stick Lip Balm, or the Visibly Soft line. 

Lastly, we have the Berry Blossom Hand Lotion. The lotion is 96% natural and has a non-greasy formula. The packaging is super cute, light, and easy to carry on the go. It has a nice light, floral, berry scent, is lightweight, and absorbs into the skin fairly quickly. It is dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Collection is available for $9.99 and in stores September throughout November.

Available at: Giant Tiger, Lawtons, Loblaws, Rexall Pharma Plus, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sobeys, Target, Walmart and online at evolutionofsmooth.com

This product was received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates.

Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation Review

Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation is an oil-free foundation, providing medium coverage resulting in a flawless, natural look that lasts all day. There are 12 different shades to choose from ranging from Classic Ivory (105) to Soft Sable (320). I can't agree more with the claims of this foundation! The coverage is amazing and it's super affordable and has been my go-to for the past few months. 

I originally received 105 Classic Ivory and 120 Nude Beige through #BeautyUnited but ended up purchasing another 120 and a shade lighter in 115 in Buff Beige at my Walmart on sale for about $7-8. The tubes are quite small with only 30ml in each, the 120 had lasted me a couple months so far, but I have been using more of the 115 and it is going very quickly.

The only other Covergirl foundation I've tried is the 3-in-1 Outlast, and although the coverage was great, I felt the shades were too pink for my skin tone and the sunscreen ingredient didn't seem to get along with my skin (I was getting clogged pores). 

The shades in the Ready Set Gorgeous line are still a bit too neutral/pink and not warm enough for my yellow undertones, with 120 being a bit warmer than 115, but still a bit neutral. 105 is the lightest shade in the range and is suitable for pink undertones. 115 is definitely more suitable for pink/neutral undertones, so if you have yellow undertones and are lighter than a MAC NC20 I think you might be out of luck. FYI, I am an NC20 and the 115 is the best match but too pink, with the 120 being slightly darker and a bit less pink but still not yellow enough for my undertones.

The foundation lasts all day and does not oxidize on me. It doesn't clog my pores and I didn't break out from this at all. My face stays matte for a few hours and doesn't look much different by the end of the day. I only needed to blot once, halfway through the day, during very hot summer weather. I find that the only place I would need to touch up by the end of the day was the tip of my nose.

I used 120 Nude Beige here and a bit of 105 Classic Ivory together, because 120 alone is a bit too dark for me. 115 is a perfect shade however it is more neutral than the 120 and not perfectly suited to my (yellow undertones) skintone.

The coverage is a light-medium but with another layer it builds up to medium, while still being breathable. It covers my redness pretty well! I did find myself using quite a bit of this foundation to spread it out and get a good coverage. I typically use a buffing brush to apply a light layer on the face and then a sponge or Beauty Blender to add another layer and go over and conceal any redness on my cheeks, nose, or forehead. It works well on top of any primer or moisturizer I've tried, and I've found it to work best on top of the La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat or any other light moisturizer.

A downside is that it does not have any SPF, however this also allows for you to use your own sunscreen underneath, or no sunscreen for a night out. 

Pros:
- Doesn't break me out
- Fragrance isn't too strong
- Looks matte on the skin
- Lasts all day
- Coverage is buidable to medium
- Covers redness well
- Packaging is small but does last even if you are using quite a bit everyday

Cons:
- Transfers easily
- Shades are lacking, and are not on the warm side (not too suitable for yellow undertones, but it doesn't hurt to try)
- Can make skin look drying if not prepped properly or if skin is flaky

After using this foundation for quite a few months and repurchasing, I've decided to finish what I have and try to find a more suitable yellow-undertone foundation. The 115 is becoming a bit too dark for me when applied heavily especially on days when I haven't self-tanned the night before. Hoping I can continue using this during the summer months when I can get a bit of a tan going on.

For $7.97 CAD at Walmart, I would purchase this again for sure! I want healthy looking skin with my redness covered and I get that with this foundation. Of course, it doesn't give you that flawless 'glow' you get with some high-end foundations, but it is great for those looking for something affordable that can be worn every day and also suitable for a night out if you have to. I've already re-purchased this a few times. I would recommend testing it first (if you can) for those with very warm-yellow undertones, and think it is more suitable for those with pink-neutral undertones, but again, I have very warm undertones and find that this is okay for me but the selection of shades could definitely be better/ more suitable for asian skintones.  Find it at Ulta (US) for $7.99.

Disclosure: I am a #BeautyUnited blogger. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events, but the opinions on my blog are always 100% my own. I did purchase 120 again, and have purchased the 115 shade as well.

Catwalk 2 Closet: Designer Warehouse Sale

Yesterday I took some time out of studying to check out a new warehouse sale in Toronto, Catwalk 2 Closet. Catwalk 2 Closet is a new designer warehouse sale that is set to take place bi-annually. It is currently being held at the Direct Energy Centre on the CNE grounds and is open now until Sunday.

Hours:
Thurs, Oct 23 - Sat, Oct 25: 10am - 9pm
Sun, Oct 26: 10am - 5pm

Wednesday was VIP and Media Preview night. Shoppers who subscribed to their newsletter on their website received a VIP pass to attend the sale early (don't worry, there is still tons of stuff left). I arrived with a friend a little before 7pm and met up with Shawna of Spill the Beauty to take a look around.

I was super excited for Mackage but disappointed when I saw the huge line! This isn't even all of it. We didn't move much in 5 minutes so we decided to go take a look up front, and see if we could see what they had available.

Mackage Booth

A sneak peek of inside the Mackage booth. It seems like many people were finding what they came for, but I noticed that they didn't seem to have the Mackage Adali, which is the style I was looking for. They did appear to have a decent amount of wool coats and down coats like the Peaches and other similar styles. Apparently the line wasn't as crazy when the sale began at 6 pm so it'd be best to get there early to avoid longer wait times. The prices were supposedly about 40-60% off.

If you aren't looking for a Mackage, there were a few other brands of coats as well. I spotted these Arctic Bay coats, which are made in Canada and actually produced in the same factory as Nobis! The fur looked gorgeous and the coats looked warm. The styles are very similar to Canada Goose if you are looking for a CG alternative.

I spotted quite a lot of new and vintage garments and accessories, as well as luxurious fur hats and coats (see the gorgeous first photo of this post).

There were a few bright coloured LazyPants for $44 (I think?) and a small section of Essie and OPI polishes. I only spotted one Soap & Glory product so I'm not sure if they had anything else from the brand. They had a huge section for iSkins for all your iOS users, a lot of jewellery from brands and vendors such as Merx, and handbags by Canadian designer Jeanne Lottie.

Yukon Furs also looked like they had some very luxurious (and extremely expensive!) fur accessories and coats but I didn't get a chance to snap a photo of their booth.

And of course, Petite Feet Designer Shoe Warehouse had to be there! This is the only section that had shoes for sale, with brands such as Fergie, Sam Edelman, Bcbg, Franco Sarto, the list goes on! They had a good range of sizes but obviously not as many racks of shoes that are typically at their warehouse sales. Their prices were a bit high for me, I remember seeing $175 I believe for boots, and $125 for ankle booties, but the retail price of many of the shoes are probably much more. They looked to have shoes for all occasions, if you have the patience to look through it all.

Although the sale wasn't as large as I expected, it was their first one and I'm sure will continue to grow as the popularity of it increases. I would definitely think it's worth checking out for those looking for unique, vintage or fur items. Mackage seems to be the star of the show so far though! Hopefully, they will continue stocking until the last day of the sale.

Parking is not controlled by the sale and is the regular rate of $14 during the day and $11 after 6 pm. There is the TTC but be prepared for a cold walk to the entrance.
For food, there was a cafe area in the back with two food/snack vendors.

If you want to arrive by taxi, Catwalk 2 Closet is offering first-time UBER customers to receive a $30 taxi voucher when using the promo code 'SHOP2C2' on their trip! I've used Uber and love it and totally recommend it if you need to hail a trustworthy taxi.

Epic Blend Lip Balms Review & Giveaway

I am a huge lip balm addict, but I will pretty much only use balms with natural ingredients that leave my mouth with a pleasant taste. Epic Blend lip balms are exactly my type of balm, they smell and taste greate, and come in a variety of flavours split into three different categories; hemp, vegan, and more moisture. They are made in Canada and launched in 2007 in Kelowna, BC.

Epic Balm says:
Smooth glide without the greasiness
Gluten free, petroleum-free, non-GMO, all natural
Not tested on animals
Nutrient-dense natural and organic ingredients

These balms are awesome and definitely pass the 'will I use you everyday?' test. Mainly because they smell and taste great! They glide smoothly onto the lips and don't feel heavy or sticky at all. There is no major shine added to my lips either. You do need a few swipes in order for the moisture to last longer.

I've been using Citrus Kick very frequently and noticed that I still have a ton of product left, so the product amount seems to last and be worth it for the very decent price of $3.49. They aren't the longest lasting natural lip balm I have came across, lasting maybe 1-3 hours depending on what you are doing with your mouth (like eating and talking, I mean! jeez), but with flavours like these, (my favourite being wild berry and cherry), I don't mind reapplying!

Hemp Balms
Organic Hemp Seed Oil is a great anti-oxidant, super-nourishing and quickly absorbs deep into the skill cells. Key Ingredients: Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Non-Gmo Vitamin E
Flavours: Coconut, Mint, Vanilla, Citrus Kick

Mint, as you guessed, does tingle a bit and is probably ideal for summer months or for those who find it refreshing. Coconut and Vanilla are both light and smell similar, with Vanilla sort of resembling a hot chocolate or coffee flavoured lip balm I would have used in my past. Citrus Kick has a bit of a punch and is fun and tangy. 

Vegan Balms
100% Plant-based and beeswax-free All-natural food-grade Candelila wax, which gives these balms an incredibly smooth texture. Key Ingredients: Food-grade candelila wax, organic coconut oil, organic sunflower oil, organic cocoa butter, non-gmo vitamin E
Flavours: Wild Berry, Pineapple-Mint

Wild Berry has to be my favourite scent of the lot. It is such a unique lip balm scent, is the perfect strength, and smells like a body mist I would love to spray all over myself. Pineapple-mint was a bit strange at first, the pineapple being a bit stronger than the mint but overall a very light scent.

More Moisture Balms
Seven moisturizers, including Organic Shea Butter come together to provide an extra kick of moisture plus a boost of staying power. Key Ingredients: Organic shea butter, organic coconut oil, organic sunflower oil, organic castor oil, organic beeswax, non-gmo vitamin E 
Flavours: Cherry, Grape, Unflavoured, Green Apple

I do notice the more moisture balms lasting slightly longer than any of the other balms, which would be why, if I had to choose, I would recommend these over the other 2 lines of balms. There is also an Unflavored version in this line, perfect for those who prefer no flavour or are sensitive to it. Cherry, Grape, and Green Apple are all perfectly scented and smelt just as expected.

Garnet Star Tinted Balm

Sheer merlot colour and a subtle shimmer that maintains a natural look. Key Ingredients: Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Castor Seed Oil, Candelilla Wax, Vitamin E, Rosemary Extract

 The Garnet Star Tinted Balm comes in one flavour, Pomegranate. It is priced slightly higher than the regular balms, at $4.99. It has a slight scent, but mostly just smells like a standard lip balm, or like Burt's Bees tinted balm. The tint is slightly darker than most people's lip colours so it might do more for them. I have pigmented lips so this was essentially the same colour as my lips and just helped to even them out. However, I wouldn't use this everyday as I just didn't feel it was as moisturizing as the others.

I thought it was interesting that the ingredients and flavour changed the light/darkness of the balm.

My favourite flavour is definitely wild berry, with cherry coming in at a close second. All of the fruity scents are amazing, with the non-fruity scents being much lighter in scent but still smelling delicious. There is not one balm in the pack that I would not use. 

Epic Blend lip balms are available at retailers across Canada, sold individually for MRSP of $3.49. You can purchase individuals or 4-packs for $12.99 directly from the Epic Blend website. The Garnet Star Tinted Balm is $4.99. Shipping is as low as $4 for Canada and the US and $15 internationally. A full list of locations can be found here when you enter your postal code. In Canada you will likely find them in a local health food shops, Boathouse's, and other organic shops. I do not believe they can be found in stores outside of Canada, they are only available for online order.

I would definitely purchase more Epic Blend balms once I finish up the ones I have. I have already given away a few to some friends and family and they are all loving them! One friend actually called me the next day to tell me the lip balm is 'the bomb' and feels like butter on her lips (this seriously happened!)

Giveaway!

Epic Blend actually sent me two lip lovin' superpacks and mentioned that the extra was for some friends or a giveaway. Well.. I've already given a few of my balms to some close friends to see what they thought, so the final lip lovin' superpack + a garnet star balm is available for you to win! The superpack contains 1 of each of their hemp, vegan, and more moisture balms. Enter via Rafflecopter below and the winner will be randomly chosen! Open to US and Canada residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This product was received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates.

Jet Set into Fall with Revlon to: Stockholm

I haven't wanted to admit it, but fall is really here. I guess the good thing about it is that you can finally wear all those dark colours, cute blanket scarves, and those winter boots you bought on clearance at the end of last winter. Revlon wants us to chase away those fall blues and sent a few Canadian bloggers some products to participate in the Colorstay Challenge and create a fashion-forward city inspired look!

I was assigned 'Stockholm', which, with a little google search, I discovered is actually the capital of Sweden and the most popular city in Scandinavia, founded way back in 1252! Sometimes we are so accustomed to hearing these popular city names that we don't think to learn any history about them.

The Strike a Pose in Stockholm look is very simple and accentuates burnt red lips with a strong dark eye. I created most of the look with Revlon products, but I did use a few additional products that I will list at the bottom of the post.

Face
To create the look, I began with my usual routine; moisturized and primed my face, and applied foundation, under-eye concealer, did some slight contouring on the nose and cheekbones, and applied my bronzer. I filled in my brows and applied a bit of blush.

Eyes
For the eyes, I used a dense brush to apply Revlon Colorstay ShadowLinks in Onyx along the lash line, blending upwards. I used another ShadowLinks (Charcoal) to assist with the blending and kept applying Onyx to darken around the eyelid. I used Revlon Colorstay ShadowLinks in Bone to highlight the brow bone and inner corners of my eyes. I lined my eyes very carefully with Revlon Colorstay Skinny Liquid Liner in Blackout. I have straight lashes that need to be curled, so the Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara didn't quite do the job for me, I had to go in with another mascara as well to hold the curl (but this typically only applies to those of us with asian descent!).

Lips
I applied two thin coats of Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Stockholm Chic to the lips.

Colorstay Gel Envy Ace of Spades, with Double Down (gold) as accents

Nails
For the nails I used products from the Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy line. I applied Double Down to the ring finger as an accent nail, which I was very surprised only took 1 coat. I applied 2 coats of Ace of Spades to the rest of my fingers and then went over the edges with Double Down for a french manicure look. I thought the polishes dry time was decent, not speedy but not the longest I've seen, with the Double Down being a bit quicker than Ace of Spades. I was impressed with how opaque Double Down was. I only need 1 coat for my accent nail! I did have to go over with a second coat of Ace of Spades for the rest of my nails. I went over it all with the Diamond Top Coat to give it a ton of shine and gloss. I felt as if the top coat made my nail thicker and felt less vulnerable to breaking (I'm an occasional nail polish wearer btw).

Revlon Products Used:
ColorStay Moisture Stain in Stockholm Chic
Bold Lacquer Length and Volume Mascara in Blackest Black
ColorStay Skinny Liquid Liner in Blackout
ColorStay Shadow Links in Onyx & Bone
ColorStay Gel Envy Nail Enamels in Ace of Spades & Double Down
ColorStay Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat

Insta Giveaway (OVER)

Revlon wants you to create a Stockholm inspired look too! Like my look on Instagram for a chance to win the Revlon products I used to create this look. Canadians over 18 only, sorry, I didn't make the rules! Ends October 17th but winner must be able to provide info within 36 hours! Enter to win and see rest of the rules and regulations on my Instagram post here. :)

Congratulations to the winner of my giveaway @ellsrunner21! 

Other Products Used in my Stockholm look: Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade Chocolate, Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation 120, Illamasqua Cream Pigment Hollow, Maybelline Rocket Volum Mascara, NYC Sunny Bronzer, Revlon ColorStay Shadow Links in Charcoal, Revlon Powder Blush in Mauvelous, Smashbox Bb Cream Eyes Light

Some products in this post were received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates. This post is not sponsored.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat Review

La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat is a daily moisturizer targeted specifically for those with oily skin. I wouldn't say I have terribly oily skin, I find it to be more combination of oily + dry, but I love a good moisturizer that will control my oiliness during hot weather. The Effaclar Mat claims to be suitable for sensitive skin and is proven to have a long lasting mattifying effect while neutralizing shine, and tightening the look of pores. It is paraben-free and non-comedogenic.

I received this over the summer when I attended the La Roche Posay Acne Beauty School event, an introduction of the new La Roche Posay Duo (+). I was actually recommended to try this by Maggie of Beauty PhD during the event because we were discussing oily skin just moments before (you know you're a blogger when..).

Effaclar Mat features LHA, a micro-exfoliant, said to reveal smoother, healthier looking skin. However, it also contains an ingredient called Sebulyse which is beneficial to target excess sebum to mattify and refine pores.

It comes in a 40ml tube, which is compact but a little on the small side and can be used up quickly if you are not cautious when applying. I have been using it quite often for over 2 months and there seems to be 1/3 or less of product left. Effaclar Mat glides on the face easily, the texture is very gel-like, it feels cooling and absorbs instantly. A little goes a long way and you only need slightly more than a pea sized amount. It works great as a makeup base and it does help keep my skin matte longer throughout the day. It is definitely not recommended for someone who has dry skin, and I probably wouldn't use it throughout the winter as it might not be moisturizing enough.

My skin stays matte throughout the day (I typically use Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous FD) however your foundation will also play a part in this. I will typically have to touch up my t-zone but there is no escaping that, this is definitely one of the most mattifying moisturizer's I have tried.

PROS
Absorbs instantly.
Compact.
Little goes a long way.
Keeps my skin matte throughout the majority of the day.
Great for hotter months. Great as a makeup base.

CONS 
Probably not suitable for cold weather.
Small tube for price.
Says for daytime use but has no SPF.

If you have the La Roche Posay Duo (+) and are wondering what the difference is.. this is targeted as more of a moisturizer for oily skin to reduce shine, whereas the Duo (+) is targeted to all skin types, especially sensitive skin, with acne. Effaclar Mat works great under makeup and I think it's a great investment for those struggling with oily skin to try out. 

Effaclar Mat is available for $30 at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada. I would likely repurchase again when winter is over, or use it only on special occasions due to the high price and small amount of product. 

Have you tried La Roche Posay's Effaclar Mat, or any other products from the brand? What is your favourite, what would you like to try?

This product was received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] Review

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (+) is an acne treatment that has been recommended by skincare experts and bloggers for years, but has recently re-launched and slightly re-formulated as Effaclar Duo (+) and replaced Effaclar Duo. It comes in the same size 40ml tube and the gel-cream claims to provide a 24hr hydration, absorbs quickly, and has a non-oily finish.

Effaclar Duo (+) is also non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, has no parabens, and developed for those sensitive to products containing nickel. It is most beneficial to those with acne-prone skin, clogged pores, and/or excess sebum.

Key Ingredients:
Procerad: A patented ceramide helps protect against the appearance of red or brown marks.
Niacinamide: The reference anti-inflammatory active ingredient for intensive soothing.
Piroctone  Olamine: To combat bacterial proliferation.
LHA & Salicylic Acid: For their complementary keratolytic actions.
Targeted Linoleic Acid: To regulate keratinocytes, plus target the follicle.

After attending La Roche Posay's Acne Beauty School and getting educated on the most common causes and effects of acne, I took home to test out the Effaclar Duo (+) and have been using it nightly for months now. I was sceptical at first because acne products don't typically get along with my skin and usually just end up drying out my pimple. The formula of the Effaclar Duo (+) is light and similar to the original 'Duo' having the same scent, but the consistency is more creamy. The major difference is that the Duo (+) is intended for full face use along with spot treatment, as it has additional hydration and skin improving properties. It dries quickly and feels absorbed into the skin. It is wearable under makeup however I prefer to use the Effaclar Mat in the daytime just because it's a bit lighter and cooling on the face.

My skin thankfully did not react badly to the salicylic acid and it probably took longer than a week to notice any improvement in my skin's condition. When I started using this it was actually during the beginning stages of what seemed to be a bit of a breakout. It cleared up my skin, the bumps felt minimized and I noticed that pimples that were rapidly appearing before were now beginning to disappear. I have been using the Effaclar Duo (+) everyday and while it doesn't prevent the odd huge pimple from popping up, it prevented many emerging pimples from getting worse or scarring. Even with the odd pimple, the redness during, and scarring afterwards is minimal.

It did not dry out my skin at all, but I'd suggest only using it as a spot treatment if you don't need it for the full face. I use it with a moisturizer at night but I've used it alone as well. I do like to quickly massage it into my skin to have it better absorbed. Hopefully, it won't dry out the skin during the colder months, but I will have to report back on that. This is the first La Roche Posay product I have tried and it has left me with a very good impression. I would definitely pick this up again as it has really reduced the amount of acne and scarring that I have been getting. I also appreciate the affordable pricing for a higher-end product.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (+) is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, and select Pharma Plus's in Canada for $26, it can also be found at Ulta in the US (has benzyl peroxide rather than salicylic acid), or online at Feel Unique internationally.

This product was received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates.