The Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask

Acne as a teenager? Probably the worst thing ever. All I want to do is impress the boy I have a crush on, yet I have growing pimples on the most inconvenient areas of my face. Even in college, I had yet to grow out my regular breakouts. I am so happy that now in my early 20's, I only face the occasional breakout (usually around that time of the month) and I don't have to worry about eating the wrong food, or using skincare with the wrong ingredients.

The Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask uses light to fight all types of acne, sending therapeutic red and blue wavelengths to the skin at the speed of light. This works to disrupt the acne cycle and kill bacteria. The red light reducing inflammation, and the blue light kills bacteria. This mask is at a class of it's own, because it is currently the only drugstore available light therapy acne treatment.

The mask comes with little cut outs that contain the red and blue lights, as well as glasses to help protect your eyes from the bright light. The mask itself does not feel expensive and is a little flimsy, but it is to be expected when you look at the price point (drugstore, not Sephora pricing).

So what do I do when the activator runs out of uses? Good news, you can recycle the activator through Neutrogena's partnership with Stericycle. Navigate to the Light Therapy Acne Mask page on Neutrogena's website and they will generate a pre-paid shipping label for you! Yes, I know, I hate that there are only 30 cycles on the activator and it won't work forever. But I can understand why they did this, because they wanted to keep the price point lower and maintain the drugstore affordability.

Oh, and I also got my boyfriend to try out the mask a few times.

He seemed to like using it a little more than I thought he would! Besides the fact that it was a little too small for his face.

I know that it's hard to get men to use skincare products nightly, but for some reason getting him to test this out was a breeze. I guess he was drawn to the look of it, and the fact that it lights up red and blue light (see how easy it is to distract them?)

The instructions say to use it everyday. Who is not lazy enough to do that? I'd say I can use it a few times a week but I definitely cannot commit to using it every single day. But using it is actually so simple. You just put the mask on, and activate it with the controller, keep it on for 10 minutes and it will shut off automatically.

I'd definitely recommend trying this one out, at the very least, if you struggle with getting rid of acne. I don't think it will break the bank and I think it is worth a shot. If it doesn't work for you, at least you didn't spend upwards of hundreds of dollars (not sure actual pricing!) getting treatments done at a clinic.

I have no actual complaints about the construction of the mask itself, but I do wish the sunglasses were a bit darker so the light would not be so bright on the eyes. It'd be cool if we could just use our own sunglasses with the mask, instead of these universal built in glasses. They are UV FREE so the light is not going to hurt your eyes, but I just found the light itself a bit bothersome and it was difficult to keep my eyes open so I could preoccupy myself while I wait.

The Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask retails for $45.99 - 49.99 CAD for the full mask, and 30 session activator pack, and a refill/new activator will cost you roughly $19.99 - 21.99 CAD!

I partnered with Neutrogena for this article! This article is sponsored and the product was received for review and promotion purposes. It may contain affiliate links.

Le Petit Marseillais Shower Cremes & Shower Gel Review

Le Petit Marseillais is not a new brand, but it is new to us here in Canada. The french brand launched into the Canadian market earlier this year. They have been around since 1981, but have only been able to launch across North America this year of 2017. In 2006 the brand was actually purchased by Johnson & Johnson! The brand is now available in 21 countries worldwide.

Seriously, don't ask me to pronounce this!! Just kidding, I try. But I'm terrible at speaking sometimes, so you would definitely not understand what I was saying.

It is officially pronounced "Leuh Peh-tee Mar-say-yay"

The scents of Le Petit Marseillais are formulated by top perfumers, and make for a great shower experience due to their lovely fragrances. The 5 products that were launched in Canada this year are their Shower Cremes and a Shower Gel. The brand does carry a ton of other products in the European market, but not currently in North America.

• Extra Gentle Shower Creme Cotton Milk & Poppy
• Extra Gentle Shower Gel White Peach & Nectarine
• Extra Gentle Shower Creme Orange Blossom
• Extra Gentle Shower Creme Vanilla Milk
• Extra Gentle Shower Creme Lavender Honey

The body washes are at a decent 400ml size, with an MSRP of $7.99 CAD, but I've seen them go for as low as $4.97 at Walmart!

I love the packaging, it's simple yet still somehow cute, and the 400ml size is decent for the prices they can be found at. There are no special promises made about the body washes, besides that they are gentle to all skin types. I have had no issues with them, my skin feels moisturized and not drying after using these. The scents are probably the main selling point though! They are all wonderful but I can't get over the Cotton Milk & Poppy, White Peach & Nectarine, and Orange Blossom scents! They are unique to the 'body wash industry' in my opinion, and I would definitely purchase them once I run out! Likely if I happen to catch a sale, because I rarely buy things full price ;)

Find Le Petit Marseillais at Walmart, Amazon.ca, Well.ca, Metro, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, & Sobeys in Canada. Find them at Amazon, Target, Walmart & more in the US.

These products were received as press samples. This article is not sponsored but may contain affiliate links.

Summer Savvy: Newbies from P&G

I've had the pleasure of exploring P&G beauty products for a while now, and although their formulas are solid, they continue to change things up as often as they can by introducing new scents and designs to their collection. I have a few things from their 'Summer Savvy' Must-Have package to introduce and share with you, not in-depth reviews but just an overview of some of their new stuff!

The new Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky Dandruff Shampoo & Conditioner duo has a light refreshing scent with a 3 Action Formula to cleanse, protect, and moisturize. Head & Shoulders is the only brand of shampoo my bf will touch! He actually stole my Instant Cooling Relief duo from me because he had a super itchy scalp over the winter so I'm excited to get to test this duo out now.

And from Olay, the Fresh Outlast Purifying Birchwater & Lavender Body Wash is one of their newer scents. The formula is designed to work with skin's natural pH and won't dry out the skin. I've never had a problem with Olay body washes drying me out at all. The scent of this one isn't anything special and I much prefer their fruity scents over this one!

The Gillette Venus Swirl isn't a new product, but with the warm weather here I've got to be stocking up on razors! I try not to shave my legs but I do always search for the best razor for my lady parts. I try to change things up so my body doesn't get too used to one product. The Venus Swirl promises flawless shave with 5 contouring blades, Flexiball technology on the handle, and water-activated MoistureGlide serum for smooth sailing.

Herbal Essences Bio:renew Curl Defining Mousse comes in a grey bottle, part of the somewhat new Bio:renew line. It is designed for girls with curly hair for a non-sticky and flexible hold against humidity. I wish I did, but I don't have curls! So this doesn't work very well for my super straight hair.

The bottle of the Herbal Essences Bio:renew Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo is beautiful and I love trying new dry shampoos, but I haven't had many successful tries. I used to really like the Herbal Essences Naked Dry Shampoo, it worked really similar to my favourite Batiste Dry Shampoo. But I then I started having issues with the nozzle getting clogged or just not working from the start. This one also contains tapioca to absorb the oil, as well as aloe, sea kelp, and antioxidants. Overall the ingredients list is quite small which is a good thing and I definitely feel the powder when sprayed onto the hair.

Olay Luminous Brightening & Protecting Lotion contains SPF 30 and is designed to hydrate, even skin tone, and protect against harmful UVs. I like this scent of this one because it has a light fragrance mixed with SPF, so you know the SPF is there. I don't believe there are any whitening ingredients, but it does have a very faint shimmer, and the SPF does work to brighten the face a bit.

And finally, the Secret Fresh Clear Gel in Ooh La La Lavender is a new scent of the Secret Fresh Antipersperant/Deodorant. It is a gel formula that dries fast and doesn't leave major marks or residue. It does dry fast and doesn't feel uncomfortable on the skin but the scent is a little strong for me. I will see how it holds up keeping me smelly-free!

ban.do super chill cooler bag - lemon style

I also received this AMAZING cooler bag by ban.do in the shape of a lemon! I am definitely NOT a sucker for cute things but I can't get over this bag! It is called the Super Chill Cooler Bag and actually comes in 4 different styles. After stalking their website I noticed they have other styles of cooler bags too (I had no idea this was a thing or I'd have been all over it sooner).

Find the ban.do cooler bag at amazon.ca, on Asos, and Urban Outfitters.

These products were received as press samples. This article is not sponsored but may contain affiliate links.

Vichy Idealia Skincare Range!

I've reviewed quite a bit of Vichy skincare in the past and am such a big fan of their stuff. I am no stranger to the Idealia line but there are a few new/revamped products. Idealia focuses on those in their 30s (according to the website) that want to change their skincare routine and maintain more radiant skin. I have no idea why the focus is on people in their 30s; I am in my early 20s and I love the Idealia line. Idealia products contain an antioxidant complex, with blueberry extract, fermented black tea extract, and Vichy's Mineralizing Thermal Water. The complex is designed to make skin look more radiant, smoother fine lines, and reduced pores. 

The range is suitable for all skin types and ages but it specifically focuses on making skin look more radiant and "alive". Who, at any age, doesn't want that!?

The Idealia Smoothness & Glow Energizing Cream is a day cream, retailing for $45.00 (CAD) at 50ml a jar. It contains Blueberry Polyphenols (fight effects of aging and stress) and Fermented Black Tea Extract (energizing and detoxifying), Adenosine (anti-aging), and Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water. It provides 24-hour moisture with a lasting glowing, and claims to even complexion and refine pores. Personally, I really like this moisturizer, but I can't say I noticed it evening my pores or complexion. I definitely notice a radiance to my skin when using this and it definitely works well under my makeup. I've used the Idealia Skin Sleep Moisturizer before but I do prefer this one over that. I would definitely purchase this when I run out.

I reviewed the Idealia Life Serum a while back, but the product has been revamped and has a different texture! It is now called the Idealia Radiance Booster Serum now and has a lighter, clear texture. It retails for $49.95 (CAD) for 30ml and claims to create smooth and glowing skin. The new texture is non-sticky and instantly absorbed for 24-hr hydration. The Radiance Booster Serum contains Licorice Root (skin brightening, preventative, reduce pigmentation), combined with Citrus Flavonoids (skin brightening), Adenosine (anti-aging), and Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water. This serum is so light and absorbs so quickly into my skin. I can't decide if I like the new formulation over the old one. It definitely is different and provides skin with a different feel. It does give a bit of a radiance but nothing overpowering, which is good for me. I can wear this no problem at night, under makeup, etc.

The Idealia Peeling: Radiance Activating Night Peeling Care is something I didn't expect to see in the Idealia line. A peel is a little more of a targeted skin care product and not many people realize that they are quite beneficial to the skin. It retails for $39.95 (CAD) for 100ml and contains special ingredient, exfoliating Glycolic Acid, Black Tea Extract (energizing and detoxifying), Blueberry with Polyphenols (fight effects of aging and stress), and Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water. The peel is designed for dull and uneven skintone to eliminate excess dead skin cells and to stimulate skin regeneration, so over time, dark spots and acne marks will fade. This is perfect for me, I hate scarred acne marks and dark spots! The product itself does scare me a bit, because it requires reduced sun exposure and wearing more SPF. Therefore, I haven't been using it as much as I'd like, to notice any reduction in dark spots. I have had luck with previous Vichy products I've tried in removing dark spots (Vichy Proeven Line) so I have no doubt this would do a decent job as well.

The Idealia Smoothness & Glow Mattifying Sorbet-Cream retails for $39.95 (CAD) for 50ml. It comes in a cute decently-sized tube, and the texture is as-described; a light whipped sorbet. It claims to boost the natural glow, even complexion and blur pores, smooth fine lines, and control shine. It contains Fermented Black Tea Extract (energizing and detoxifying, enhancing skin quality). It absorbs into the skin quickly and I definitely notice a bit of radiance in my skin when I use this. Not sure if I notice any shine control, but it definitely creates a matte base for my foundation application. I think this works great as a primer and it illuminates my face while smoothing and blurring my pores as well. 

Overall the Vichy Idealia range is probably one of my favourite skincare lines! I love the radiance effect that the range promises, and it just works so well with my skin. I do feel that the ingredients are beneficial to the skin and will help slow down the process of aging (hopefully!). See the full range of Idealia products on Vichy.ca.

These products were received for consideration. All opinions are my own and are never influenced by anyone. 

La Roche Posay Micellar Water Ultra Review

I'm a big fan of these brands that are drugstore available, aren't quiet considered 'high-end', but they've proven to me that they work so well with my skin. La Roche-Posay is definitely one of them, and I'm excited to share their new Micellar Water Ultra.

The Micellar Water Ultra comes in 3 different formulations for different skin concerns:

•  Sensitive Skin

•  Dry to Reactive Skin

•  Oily Skin

It retails for $19.95 each, which for a 400 ml bottle is a very competitive price when compared to the other micelle waters on the market.

What La Roche-Posay brings to the table with these, is they introduce the 'Glyco-Micellar' technology, which just means the power of micelle solution with glycerin. Generally the result should be an easier glide with less rubbing using a cotton pad, and skin feeling more comfortable because of the glycerin ingredient.

Well which one do I buy? The differences don't seem like much tbh. The Micellar Water Ultra for Sensitive Skin has a light, hypoallergenic fragrance and hydrating glycerin and gently removes makeup, dirt, impurities without stripping the skin. It has no soap, no colorants, no alcohol, and no parabens.

The Micellar Water Ultra for Dry to Reactive Skin contains 5% glycerin (the highest amount compared to the other two) and is designed to increase hydration immediately, which delicately cleansing. It is fragrance-free with no soap, no colorants, no alcohol, and no parabens.

And lastly, the Micellar Water Ultra for Oily Skin is enriched with Zinc, and effective in removing dirt, oil, impurities and makeup without drying. It also contains no soap, no colorants, no alcohol, no parabens, and a hypoallergenic fragrance.

The descriptions probably still leave you thinking about which one to try, right? I would be feeling the same right now. But I put them to the test the best that I could. So they generally work the same, the scents are slightly different but all have hints of the general 'La Roche-Posay' signature "fresh" scent. The Sensitive Skin has almost no fragrance and is very light. I found the one that worked the best to actually remove my makeup was the Oily Skin and second favourite was the Sensitive Skin. I didn't find the Dry to Reactive Skin did as much makeup removing. Maybe they focused to much on not drying out the skin with this one.., and in return it isn't as effective.

Again, they are generally the same... formulation is very similar, but if I had to repurchase I would definitely get the Oily Skin Micellar Water just because I felt like it worked a bit better.

As you can see they remove foundation makeup well. It didn't remove my liquid liner or lipstick as well as I'd hoped, but this was expected. Also don't even bother trying it with (waterproof) mascara. This is strictly best for removing foundation. I don't expect micellar waters to do this though, I mainly just base them on whether they can remove my foundation properly or not. I usually expect it to remove lipstick as well, and this one will remove lipstick but it won't take off stubborn liquid lipsticks, unfortunately.

The price point is great at $19.95 CAD. It's highly competitive with the micellar waters out on the market as I mentioned, but I wish they did perform slightlyy better. I'd consider the formula of all of them pretty mild, but I did feel like the Oily Skin worked the best and I kept going back to that one while I was testing these. So I'd suggest trying that one first if you are looking into a new micellar water. You can find them at drugstores in Canada. Check here for your nearest location.

These products were received for consideration. All opinions are my own and are never influenced by anyone. 

L'Occitane Shea Butter Foaming Cleanser & Intense Hand Balm

L'Occitane has been my skin saviour recently; helping me get through the cold winter months and transition to spring here in Canada! They always have a brand focus on moisture, specifically Shea Butter, and I have two products from the line to share with you today; the Shea Foaming Cleanser and Shea Butter Intensive Hand Balm!

L'Occitane's Shea Foaming Cleanser is probably one of the most gentle cleansers I've tried to date. It contains 125 ml and retails for $28 CAD, although not the cheapest of cleansers, a little goes a long way so I can see this lasting for quite a while. I've used it daily for the past month and haven't noticed that Iv'e used much product (but also, the tube is not see-through so it's really hard to tell). It contains 5% shea oil and has a light scent. It has a cream/milky texture, not too thick or runny at all. It cleans my skin without stripping it of natural moisture. It lathers just enough that you don't need to use a lot at all. It claims that it does remove makeup and impurities, and while I tested it and it worked to remove my foundation, I do just prefer to use a makeup remover first to make sure I get everything off.

The L'Occitane Shea Butter Intensive Hand Balm comes in a 150 ml tube and retails for $40 from L'Occitane. This one contains a high amount of Shea Butter, 25% to protect skin from cold or any uncomfortable dryness. It's enriched with allantoin to soothe the skin immediately. It definitely does what it says, creating a barrier for the skin and instantly making it feel protected. It is a thick cream, you can feel it's there but it isn't overly oily on the skin or anything. The only thing I don't like about this is that because it's so thick, it's a little difficult to get out of the aluminum tube packaging. The scent isn't for everyone, it is a little 'mature' so to speak and I do prefer the cleanser over the hand balm because the scent is a lot lighter.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Foaming Cleanser (left), L'Occitane Shea Butter Intense Hand Balm (right)

You can find the Shea Foaming Cleanser, and the Shea Butter Intense Hand Balm at http://ca.loccitane.com/!

These products were received for consideration. All opinions are my own and are never influenced by anyone. 

Ole Henriksen Skincare Regime & The ReLaunch!

Ole Henriksen is a brand I haven't spoke much about before. I've only recently started to regularly use their products and I do have good things to say. The brand is not a new brand, starting out as a spa and a small mail-order only skincare collection in the 80s. It has grown into such a popular collection, with Sephora being the #1 place to find Ole products.

I had the opportunity to meet and talk to Ole himself, back in August. It was such a great experience and I was also pampered by some of his awesome products! I took home a few things to more throughly test but haven't gotten around to writing about it until now. 

Hi Ole!

Beginning 2017... Ole actually re-launched ALL of the Ole Henriksen products. 

Actually, a lot of products seem to be removed from the line, but the favourites and bestsellers are here to stay. The packaging and a few names have changed, but as far as I know the products are still the same. 

I have the old packaging, and unfortunately one of the products is being discontinued.

The Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser, now called The Clean Truth Foaming Cleanser ($38 CAD) smells yummy and fruity. It is a foam cleanser in a decently sized bottle and contains anti-oxidant african red tea, pumpkin extract, black currant oil, and vitamin C. The ingredients list has slightly changed along with the packaging change but nothing too drastic. 

I use this every morning and have almost finished the bottle. It doesn't remove makeup. It also doesn't leave my skin feeling dry and is easy to use and wash off. It's paraben and sulfate free! 

I love this cleanser and would definitely think about purchasing this one, but I'd have to weigh out whether the cost is worth it. 

The Clean Truth Foaming Cleanser's new look

Ole's Sheer Transformation Oil-Free Perfecting Creme, now called the Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer ($38 CAD for 50 ml) is designed for all skin types and probably their bestselling moisturizer. It's oil-free, contains vitamin C, licorice root and pea extract to improve dark spots and discolouration. 

This is another Ole product I've been using daily. I somehow seem to always go for this one when I see it on my counter. It just does so well under my makeup, it's so light on my skin and is easy to apply. I think I'd purchase this one over the cleanser, just seeing as I know it'll last longer in the end so it'd be better value for me.

The Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer's new look

The Ultimate Lift Eye Gel, now called the Uplifting Transformation Eye Gel ($52 CAD) smells soooo good, like cucumbers. It designed for evening use only, to tone, hydrate and reduce puffiness. It contains cucumber and algae extracts and bio-peptide. The instructions are to apply it all over the eye and lids, even up to the brow bone for full hydration. 

You can definitely feel the extremely hydrating properties when it touches your skin and a slight cooling because of the cucumber. This is probably one of the more fun eye creams to apply (heh) because it feels like liquid jelly! I do like to use it about once or twice a week. 

The Uplifting Transformation Eye Gel's new look

The Total Truth Eye Creme with SPF 15 (discontinued) seems to be discontinued for 2017. I guess I can understand why this one is being discontinued. I mean, I don't have anything hate for it, but it is a little thick, hard to spread under the eyes, and my makeup doesn't apply very well on top of it. 

I do prefer to use this one for night but I think it is targeted for daytime use because it has SPF 15 and smells like spf. I did like that it contained vitamin C, omega 3 extracts, micro algae and tri-peptide 5 (to hydrate and firm). 

The Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths, now called the Truth on the Glow Cleansing Cloths are $36... but for 100 which actually makes it a decent price (I think). The size pictured is the 30 wipes, but I can't seem to find this one for sale on Sephora's website right now... so unsure if they will still sell it in this size. 

I really enjoyed the cloths, they removed my makeup well and smelled good. They also contain vitamin C, CoQ10 (cause I'm sure all of us consumers know what that is... haha), and black currant oil to 'rejuvenate and hydrate'. 

The Truth on the Glow Cleansing Cloth's new look

Overall, Ole Henriksen is definitely now on my list of trusted skincare brands. I'd purchase the Sheer Transformation Moisturizer first out of anything, but would consider the other products as well (maybe during a Sephora sale, so don't have to dish out so much $$?). 

Ole Henriksen is available at Sephora stores and online.

These products were received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are never influenced by anyone. 

New P&G Body Essentials

I tend to only talk about facial skincare and makeup here, so it's not often I end up talking about other body care. P&G brands like Olay, Secret, and Head & Shoulders have been around for decades, and can easily be found in drugstores, supermarkets and convenience stores. If you haven't heard of the brands in this post... you either are not from North America or living in cave or something (heh).

Olay recently came out with a new line of body washes, Olay Fresh Outlast. It comes in about five different fruity scents. The one I have here is in Crisp Pear & Fuji Apple. The packaging is cute and the price is good, the bottle I have here is huge! but I do believe it comes in smaller, regular sizing as well. The scent smells like the real thing, it lathers well and doesn't dry out my skin. I have had no complaints using it but it is just a new scent and size, the formula doesn't seem anything new or special. 

Next I have the Secret Clinical Clear Gel Antiperspirant/Deodorant in Completely Clean. The scent is as described.. it is pretty plain and doesn't smell like my ideal deodorant but it does the job. This is the clear gel formula and is designed to fight odour all day long with 4x protection from stress sweat. I'm not typically fond of the clear gel formulas, I much prefer regular old-fashioned deodorant, but it works as well as a typical deodorant does for me. However, I don't notice it protecting much more than other deodorants. 

This one here is a known favourite. The anti-dandruff hair care line by Head & Shoulders. There are quite a few scents with slightly different properties in the line but the one I have here is the Instant Cooling Relief. It contains tea tree essence and peppermint oil to give your head a minty-cool feel. I found that the shampoo didn't give me the 'cool' feeling, but the conditioner made my scalp feel super cold! I have an itchy scalp and I did find my scalp slightly less itchy after using this shampoo, but the peppermint and tea tree definitely didn't help with my itchiness at all, if anything the cooling effect brought more attention to my itchy scalp.  My boyfriend does rave about this being the only thing that works for his flaky scalp however, so I have been letting his use this lately!

In the past, I enjoyed the Olay Eye Brightening Cc Cream and wrote a review about it a while back (here). The new Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream comes in the same packaging, and is also designed to fight puffiness, dark circles, wrinkles, and fine lines. The eye cream contains colour correcting technology, and a formula enriched with peptides and vitamins. It doesn't feel heavy on the eyes and absorbs super quickly. It is not pigmented enough (at all) to work as a concealer or for any coverage of that sort. I don't see this as having enough benefits for nighttime use.. edit: I found this didn't add moisture and dried easily in the jar. I don't really like it under makeup and so I ended up giving it away. 

These products were received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are never influenced by anyone. 

Pixi Facial Mists: Glow Mist & Makeup Fixing Mist

Pixi Beauty is a brand that I've adored for a while, it made a quick appearance in Canada when Target was introduced here, but was just as quickly taken away from us when the Target's were all shut down. Fortunately, and finally, Pixi has been re-introduced to us Canadians and is available at select Shoppers Drug Marts. There is word that the displays are popping up in greater Toronto area Shoppers Drug Mart locations (wohoo!). I do have some products that I'm excited to share with you, and seeing it readily available in Canada makes me so happy!

I know I've talked about them before, but for a refresher, Pixi Beauty was created by Petra Strand, experienced makeup artist and product developer. The brand originates from London and focuses on pure skin-loving products infused with botanicals and good ingredients.

Pixi officially has a product list of 5 different mists in their collection. I have 2 of them here to share with you!

The mists consist of 80ml of product and retail for $15 USD (I am not positive of the Canadian price at the moment) but they seem to be affordably drugstore priced. Both of the mists can be used either in the AM or PM, it's to your liking!

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The Glow Mist is infused with Propolis & Argan Oil and is designed for a radiant glowy effect. It is enriched with 13 other natural oils. It claims to be able to set makeup, add a dewy finish, and refresh makeup. The bottle says it can be used before makeup, after makeup, or throughout the day. After testing it out, I do see the hydrating and luminous effects and it works great for dry winter months. I don't see it prolonging my makeup wear because it is enriched with so many good oils. So I prefer to use this on light makeup days where I don't have to worry about my makeup lasting or not.

The Makeup Fixing Mist has become a holy grail for me! It is infused with Rose Water & Green Tea and designed to set, extend or refresh makeup while protecting and balancing the skin. It has a light rose scent which isn't overpowering at all. The bottle also says it can be used before and after makeup, or throughout the day. I love to use this before makeup instead of a primer. It's obviously not super hardcore primer replacement, but it is so easy to just mist over the face and apply makeup. It is such a plus that there are so many beneficial ingredients! I think that's the main reason why this has become my holy grail: I don't feel bad about misting it all over my face. It holds my makeup throughout the day as far as I can tell, and I think it is perfect as an everyday essential.

Overall, pretty impressed with the Pixi Facial Mists I got to try out. I would 100% purchase the Makeup Fixing Mist when I finish this one, not sure about the Glow Mist but I will be continuing to use them both!

Pixi Glow Mist Ingredients (here)

Pixi Makeup Fixing Mist Ingredients (here)

These products were received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are never influenced by anyone. 

Beauty Favourites of 2016

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday, I had quite a relaxing one, and I'm so excited for what 2017 will bring. My life went through so many changes in the past year, from moving to new relationships,  new friendships, and finding out a lot about myself and others. I mean, every year I find more and more out about myself but this year had pretty big changes for me. 

I didn't blog as often as I wanted to, my summer was spent hanging out outside, and keeping busy with new friends, I was barely indoors (and didn't even get much of a tan...). To be honest, as cheesy as it sounds I spent a lot of time doing car things with my car friends (because yes, I like cars too!). I do want to keep A Lovely Allure alive, and continue sharing my completely honest reviews on products I've tried! 

I am by no means popping out an article a day, but I am trying for (at least) once a week. I am also trying to keep them as short and sweet as possible, because face it, no one wants to read unnecessarily long reviews anymore (I do sometimes get carried away though... sorry!)

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2016 Beauty Favourites

And I know it's a bit of a late post, (I planned to have this up before 2017!) but I didn't want to miss out on sharing my favourite beauty products of 2016.

Clarisonic Mia 2:
I have had the Mia 2 for a while, but I've never expressed how much I really like it! It is the best way to exfoliate dead or flaky skin, because it actually works and you don't have to sit there scrubbing for minutes. There are various brush heads for those with different skin types, and I can exfoliate the dry spots on my face so quickly!

Sephora The Perfectionist Airbrush Sponge:
What a perfect dupe for the Beauty Blender! My all-time favourite sponge, has just met it's competition with this dupe from Sephora. The sponge expands to the same size as my Beauty Blender, and works just as well. See my full review here.

Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon in Cava:
I have been using this lip crayon in the shade Cava (worn here) on a daily basis and am afraid it's going to run out soon! The Bite lip crayons are not long lasting if you're about to eat but they last a great amount of time if you don't! They feel so soft and don't dry out my lips. Cava is the perfect mauve shade that I long for in a lipstick! (If you know me, light mauves are my thinggg).

Nyx Micro Brow Pencil:
I finally found a dupe for the highly coveted, Anastasia Brow Wiz (review)! I use this Nyx Micro Brow Pencil before my Anastasia Dipbrow (review) to outline the shape. It is pretty foolproof because it can be wiped off if a mistake is made. I do go over it and fill in my brows with the Dipbrow because this Nyx pencil does not last nearly as long, but it works so well for outlining!

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Oil-Free Perfecting Creme:
I discovered Ole Henriksen in 2016, and I actually had the pleasure of meeting the founder himself! His products are great and so easy to find something to combat specific skin issues. The Sheer Transformation Cream is my favourite, I've been using it daily! It goes under makeup so well, doesn't feel heavy on the skin but moisturizes well. I don't use it when it's super cold outside but mild to hot weather it is perfect.

Formula X MakeupByRose Nail Polish:
I don't know which one I have pictured here, but I fell in love with Formula X's Limited Edition MakeupByRose Collection (swatches here)! Specifically the Mahhvelous Rose (a rosy mauve), and Puffin! (a rich mink grey). I could literally wear these shades on my nails for the rest of the year.

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Concealer:
I wasn't sure this was enough coverage for me at first, but it is so hydrating and so easy to apply that it doesn't really matter to me anymore. The coverage is highest when using a sponge applicator, it doesn't crease too much (and I have dry under eyes). I just finished my tube and I will definitely purchase a new one (review here). I wear shade Y23 for reference.

Bliss The Youth As We Know It Eye Cream:
I got this eye cream for half price, and I know it isn't a miracle worker but for the price it is great! I try to do as much as I can to protect my eye area. Only time will tell, but hopefully this will help hold off my aging/dark circles/bags for a little longer!

Body Shop Pinita Colada Body Butter:
This scent, I believe, was introduced in 2016 when the Body Shop's Body Butter packaging was revamped to use plastic made from pollution. The body butter smells delicious, of coconut and a pineapple mix, and is light and absorbs so quickly!

Paula's Choice Hydralight Shine-Free Daily Mineral Complex SPF 30:
I had the opportunity to work with Paula's Choice in 2016 and absolutely loved their skincare products! I soooooo wish they were readily available here in Canada. Although I did love all of the products I got to try, the Hydralight Moisturizer quickly ended up in my morning routine. It is light, smells a bit like crayons but doesn't bother me, but the main perk is that it contains SPF30 and is great to wear under my foundation (review here).

Live Clean Multi Boost Shampoo/Conditioner:
Live Clean's shampoos are really all I use now! They are sulfate free, but also free of many chemicals, parabens, silicones, never tested on animals, and 98% plant derived. The main reason I've stuck to this brand is because it is sulfate free, my hair has felt so much healthier and my scalp isn't as itchy since switching to this brand (review here)!

What were your favourites of 2016? Feel free to share with me in the comments!

Live Clean Vanilla Oatmeal Soothing Body Wash & Multi Boost Shampoo

I've got a few new products from Live Clean to share with you and decided to just bundle them into one post. It's so hard to talk about and review stuff like soaps, body washes, and shampoos, because the results of using different brands can be very similar. One thing I love about Live Clean is their promise to use good ingredients, they're always about adding moisture to your regime whether it be skin, hair, or hands, and their products cut out a lot of bad ingredients. 

Live Clean's newest scent, 'Vanilla Oatmeal', comes in both their Liquid Hand Soap and Soothing Body Wash. The formulation was made to be gentle on the skin while adding moisture. The Vanilla Oatmeal Body Wash is enriched with oatmeal and certified organic botanicals of Vanilla and Chamomile to leave skin soft and nourished. Live Clean's Vanilla Oatmeal Soothing Liquid Hand Soap will gently cleanse the skin and contains Vitamin E, Panthenol, and certified organic botanicals of Vanilla and Chamomile.

I am in love with the Vanilla Oatmeal Body Wash and it leaves my skin feeling fresh, but not drying. The Liquid Hand Soap also doesn't disappoint but I really wish they had a foaming hand soap available!

•  Pure Vegan
•  98% plant derived
•  SLS/Sulfate Free, Phthalate Free, Petrolatum Free, Silicone Free, Dye Free, Paraben Free, DEA Free, Phosphate Free
•  No animal by-products, not tested on animals
•  Biodegradable ingredients + eco friendly recyclable packaging

The Vanilla Oatmeal Soothing Body Wash 500ml retails at $6.99 CAD, and the Vanilla Oatmeal Liquid Hand Soap 500ml retails for $4.99 CAD.

Live Clean also has a small range of other body wash scents! I love the huge size of them (500ml), and the scents are all very gentle and not overbearing. 

The Fresh Water Moisturizing Body Wash has a light fruity fresh scent, contains Vitamin E and Hyaluronate to moisturize skin. The Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Replenishing Body Wash contains Argan Oil, and smells like what I use in my hair but I think I'd be okay with using it on my body too. And lastly, the Coconut Milk Moisturizing Body Wash smells like sweet coconuts and restores moisture balance with the natural oils in Coconut Milk along with Vitamin C, E, and B, minerals and proteins. They all retail for $6.99 CAD.

I am always so impressed with all of Live Clean's hair care products, but their Vitamin Multi Boost Shampoo and Conditioner is one of their newest lines and a great hair regime to switch to. Live Clean is drug store bought, but their products seem like such salon quality to me! The Vitamin Multi Boost line has a stronger citrus scent but isn't overbearing. It contains super ingredients like Vitamin E, Vitamin B, Vitamin K, Vitamin D, as well as Avocado Extract to condition and heal the hair. The Multi Boost Shampoo and Conditioner leaves my hair feeling clean, not weighed down or dry, it just feels so right! A main reason I would purchase this again is because of the no sls/sulfates, parabens or silicones!

Both bottles are 350ml in size and retail for $6.99 CAD. They are both free of parabens, sls/sulfates, silicones, and are plant derived, never tested on animals, etc, just like all of Live Clean's products.

You can find Live Clean products at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, London Drugs, Amazon.ca, and Well.ca.

These products were received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates. 

eos 24-Hour Moisturizing Shave Cream Review

eos 24-Hour Moisturizing Shave Cream has been my go-to for shaving for a while now. Not just because of the moisturizing factor, but it works so well with my skin and really helps minimizes nicks and cuts, which is one of my main concerns when shaving.

The shave cream is packed with natural conditioning oils, shea butter, and vitamins C and E, and helps to moisturize the area for at least a full 24 hours. It is designed to be used to shave both wet and dry. I personally like to use it in the shower but without the water directly hitting it.

•  Contains natural conditioning oils, shea butter, Vitamins C & E, aloe, & oat
•  24-hour moisture
•  Paraben-free
•  Not tested on animals
•  Ergonomic bottle and easy to use pump
•  Easily recyclable

For $3.99 I'd say this shave cream is worth it and I will continue to purchase. It comes in 3 fragrances and there is also the option of unscented for those with very sensitive skin. I'm not sure if the unscented is still available but there is Lavender Jasmine, Pomegranate Raspberry, and Vanilla Bliss to delight your senses. The only downside is I find that I finish a bottle so quickly. I've probably gone through 3 or 4 so far. I was never a regular user of shaving gel so I can't really compare the two in terms of what lasts longer, but this definitely gives me a more comfortable and easy to glide shave.

Find it at: Loblaw's, Walmart, Superstore, Rexall, London Drugs, Uniprix, Lawtons

These products were received for consideration, but I did purchase one because I love it so much! All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates.