Montreal-Based Beauty and Lifestyle Blog


February 29, 2016

Let's Talk Natural Hygiene ft. Oral Essentials Mouthwash | Review


Trips to the dentist aren't something I particularly look forward to. Lying awkwardly in a chair and having someone scrutinize my gaping mouth, not to mention cringing through all the buzzing and scraping from powerful dental tools isn't the most pleasant experience if you ask me. As a child, my yearly checkup often resulted in me having to get a new cavity (or two) filled, and despite thinking I took good care of my teeth, I still had a couple more in my early adulthood. Since transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle and changing my oral hygiene routine, I have had a clean bill of dental and overall health, having significantly decreased my consumption of acidic and tooth-decaying foods such as meat, dairy and processed foods, including artificial sugar. Using exclusively plant-derived dental products void of harmful chemicals for over two years, I wanted to share what I've been loving, including some new additions from Oral Essentials: their mighty effective mouthwashes.
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February 28, 2016

Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Kit Review

Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Kit

Being acne-prone, breakouts and scarring are not the only skin issues I cope with on a daily basis. Having sensitive skin and also being prone to redness (and I don't just mean from blushing... which yes does happen more than you would think and is not as cute as it sounds), I am aware that I look like a completely different person when wearing full-coverage makeup, as you can see in my latest video. While some skin care products aggravate my sensitive skin, others have been helpful in calming it down... see where I'm going here? Paula's Choice* just launched a new collection called Calm Redness Relief, which includes six products for both your morning and night routines. Being left beyond impressed following my first encounter with the brand, I had high hopes that this range would come to my (redness) rescue. I am excited to share my experience and my before and after results!
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February 26, 2016

Get Ready With Me | Fresh Makeup for Spring!


Even though spring is probably my least favourite season, I still get excited about it because that basically means we are just one season away from summer, aka what I believe is the best time of the year and when I am at my happiest (I blame it on the vitamin D)! Since we are talking about seasons right now, my thought process is basically that I'd rather go outside all bundled up when it's -35C or in super light clothing when it's +35C, which would explain why I prefer these extreme seasons, especially living here in Montreal. I'm not such a huge fan of the 'in between seasons' for that reason, although I appreciate how nature transforms before our eyes in spring and fall. Anyways, back to today's topic - makeup! I felt inspired to play around with some new products I've been trying out all while incorporating some old favourites. I wanted to keep it fresh, wearable and glowy. Enjoy!
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February 25, 2016

A Taste of Greece with Kampos Cretan Products + Giveaway!


Oh Greece how I love and miss you! My dreams came true last fall when I embarked on my greatest adventure yet, visiting one of the world's most charming and unique countries. You can read all about my picturesque travels here. I also (naturally) shared some of the beauty products I couldn't resist bringing back with me. Although that beautiful glow I soaked up while in the Mediterranean is long gone now (thank you uber-cold and sunless Canadian winter), I have managed to keep my skin looking and feeling smooth and smelling delicious thanks to my cherished Greek skin care. My stash has recently grown after receiving a handful of goodies from Kampos Cretan Products*, an online shop selling a variety of traditional Cretan and Greek personal care items. Despite not having had the chance to visit this historic island, we were informed in Santorini that the majority of their beauty products and olive oil are imported from Crete due to a combination of fertile land and favourable climate allowing them to grow olive oil trees on a massive scale. Stay until the end to learn how you can win your own Greek-made products!
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February 24, 2016

Delicious and Healthy Food Inspiration | Top Vegan Cookbooks You Should Own


One misconception about following a vegan diet is that we only eat boring and tasteless food such as lettuce and carrots, dubbed 'rabbit food'. True, our eating habits revolve around plants, however you would be surprised how many options there are when it comes to creating mouthwatering dishes that will leave you wanting more. Don't believe me? Simply head down to your local vegan counter or restaurant and you will see how much variety there is to choose from! From black bean burritos, to herb-filled falafels, to elaborate pasta dishes, vegan food is extremely palatable when prepared with gusto and love. As someone who has been plant-based for nearly two years, I can tell you the possibilities are truly endless. Some of you may know that I actually started off my plant-based lifestyle by eating 100% raw and switched back to cooked foods a few months later, so I've first-hand experienced all that plants have to offer, both in their raw and cooked form. I love coming across new vegan-friendly restaurants and recipes which I enjoy recreating myself as evidenced through my Instagram, hence I thought I would dedicate a post sharing my top vegan cookbooks, namely Vegan Everyday: 500 Delicious Recipes by Douglas McNish*, The Vegan Cook's Bible by Pat Crocker* and 350 Best Vegan Recipes by Deb Roussou*.
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February 23, 2016

Wake Up Wednesday Linky #109


 Wake Up Wednesday "Linky" Party
@ Sew Crafty Angel
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We are so excited to have so many amazing bloggers party with us.
Check out this weeks Featured linkups.

Thank you so much to all those who share your blog in our party.
Last week we had  490 awesome linkups!   

 Wake Up and be happy, get excited and have fun with us! 
We want to be inspired, entertained, laugh and have a good time!
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February 22, 2016

Jouviance Rouge Magistral Perfection and Gloss XOXO for Pouty Lips | Review + Try On


Who here loves a good lip product that makes you look and feel fabulous and doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I can see you raising your hand! I thought I would share some of my current favourites when it comes to showing off that beautiful pout of yours since I know how hard it can be to find a lipstick that will not only apply with ease, but will also last, hydrate and will have excellent colour payoff to top it all off. Drugstore lip products are often hit or miss - in my experience, they have a tendency to be drying since they do not always have the best ingredients, especially if you have sensitive skin. Jouviance took this all into consideration when formulating their NEW Rouge Magistral Perfection* featuring three stunning lip shades: Attraction, Tendre and Unique. I also wanted to include their Gloss XOXO* in Kiss & Make Up and Bise which I've been loving as well.
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February 20, 2016

Kiwiglow Organic Artisanal Daily Skin Oil Review | Sesame Oil for Glowing Skin!


Oils seems to be getting a better reputation these days when it comes to skin care, whether it be used for cleansing, makeup removing or simply for moisturizing. While I was afraid to even put a drop on my face from fear of breaking out a few years ago, I now douse myself in the stuff daily (not literally, but you get what I mean)! I will say though that there is definitely some trial and error when it comes to finding natural oils that will work best for your skin as not everyone will react to them the same way. For instance, I love using coconut oil as an eye makeup remover but I quickly realized it wrecked havoc on my skin when used as an all-over facial moisturizer. I personally find that 100% naturally-derived oils are much more pleasant to use as opposed to more conventional, mass-produced ones you would find at the drugstore (such as these ones). A new stand-out oil that has made its way into my life recently is sesame oil - we don't hear about it all that much, but it has seriously changed my skin care routine. Let me introduce you to Kiwiglow - a luxurious, handcrafted brand that produces three distinct, all-natural blends of sesame oil: Earth*, Amaya* and Verde*.
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February 17, 2016

#Take12 and Win with Pearl & Daisy Natural Soap Company! | Review


If there is one activity that is seriously lacking in my weekly, or even monthly routine, it would be bath time. While it was all fun and games in my childhood years, I became accustomed to the convenience of showering and haven't given much thought to the actual benefits of bathing on a regular basis. It isn't until I was recently challenged to #Take12 minutes per week to bathe with Pearl & Daisy Natural Soap Company that I realized I was inadvertently missing out! Both uplifting and invigorating, the selection of bath products I've been experimenting with from Pearl & Daisy Natural Soap Company has forever changed the way I see the time I spend soaking in the tub.
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February 16, 2016

Wake Up Wednesday Linky #108


 Wake Up Wednesday "Linky" Party
@ Sew Crafty Angel
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We are so excited to have so many amazing bloggers party with us.
Check out this weeks Featured linkups.

Thank you so much to all those who share your blog in our party.
Last week we had  478 awesome linkups!   

 Wake Up and be happy, get excited and have fun with us! 
We want to be inspired, entertained, laugh and have a good time!
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February 14, 2016

Sothys Vintage Sport Spring/Summer 2016 Makeup Collection | Review + Makeup Look


In case you may be wondering what the warmer months have in store for us makeup lovers this year, all I can say is that natural-looking makeup is not going anywhere! Lightly flushed cheeks, brightening eye shadows and glossy pink and nude lips are what you will be seeing from a variety a brands, including Sothys' limited edition Vintage Sport Makeup Collection, featuring six items to keep you looking fresh and polished. I am always very impressed by this luxurious French brand's beauty products (see here), so I couldn't wait to put their newest collection to the test.
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February 12, 2016

Province Apothecary Full Brow Serum and Organic Skincare | Review


The struggle is real for me when it comes to my brows and eye lashes - for years I have been trying to grow them out, but it has proven quite difficult. I am part of the 'teenager who over-plucked her brows club' and was sadly not born with beautiful, dark lashes - they are light, sparse and short, hence why mascara became my best friend when I finally discovered its magic. I will say though that there have been two stand-out products that have helped me a bit in the hair growing department: first, the Nutraluxe Lash MD Eyelash Conditioner and coconut oil (because let's face it that stuff is literally good for everything, just some ideas here). When I came across the new Province Apothecary Full Brow Serum*, I was immediately drawn to it: made with 100% active plant ingredients, I had a feeling Mother Nature would come through. Well, let me tell you, after trying the serum for only a couple of weeks, there have been some impressive results.
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Pamper Yourself this Valentine's Day with Farleyco Beauty | Giveaway!


Valentine's Day - some love it, others hate it... either way you can't deny another good reason to pamper yourself, now can you? I and a few other Canadian Beauty Bloggers have teamed up with Farleyco Beauty to bring you a fun giveaway so that you can treat yourself to some fab NEW products from three well-loved beauty brands: I love..., COLAB and 7th Heaven. Curious to know more?
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February 10, 2016

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Concealer in Y23 | Review


Make Up For Ever never ceases to impress me - they are definitely top-notch in the cosmetic industry and are always one step ahead of other brands when it comes to developing innovative makeup products. I always look forward to learning about their new releases, and after attending their preview event for the new year, I was most excited to try their NEW Ultra HD Invisible Cover Concealer*. I'm a big fan of their well-loved Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation, so I had really high hopes for their newest Ultra HD addition. Is it just as amazing as it sounds? You've come to the right place to find out!
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February 9, 2016

Wake Up Wednesday Linky #107


 Wake Up Wednesday "Linky" Party
@ Sew Crafty Angel
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We are so excited to have so many amazing bloggers party with us.
Check out this weeks Featured linkups.

Thank you so much to all those who share your blog in our party.
Last week we had  438 awesome linkups!   

 Wake Up and be happy, get excited and have fun with us! 
We want to be inspired, entertained, laugh and have a good time!
SHARE:

February 7, 2016

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Healthy Skin Foundation Powder | First Impressions + Review


With an increasing awareness of what the majority of makeup products contain, my list of natural brands I've been wanting to try has been growing significantly. If you would have asked me a couple of years ago to name you one natural makeup brand, I probably would have given you a very blank stare. A product I have been dying to try for a while now is the 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Healthy Skin Foundation Powder. Sounds like a mouthful, I know, but it describes the product pretty darn well. The claims of this little guy are exactly what I've been looking for: good for acne-prone and combination skin, medium coverage, matte finish, and chock-full of good-for-you ingredients. The question remains: does it actually deliver on all fronts? I'm here to share the lowdown, so just stick around (gotta love a good rhyme)!
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February 3, 2016

My First Chemical Peel Experience with Epiderma | Salicylic Acid Facial Peel


I don't know about you, but whenever I would hear the words 'chemical peel' I never thought that would be something I would want to put my skin through. It just sounded, well, painful! However, the more research I did, the more I realized this could actually be a beneficial treatment for my skin. So when I was approached by Epiderma* and was offered to try their new salicylic acid peel, I knew I would be in good, professional hands. I documented the process with before and after pictures for comparison purposes, hence the raw, unedited, unaltered photos you will see below. Putting my bare face out there for all to see? That is what is happening today. Hopefully I don't scare you away and see you here again!
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February 2, 2016

Wake Up Wednesday Linky #106


 Wake Up Wednesday "Linky" Party
@ Sew Crafty Angel



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We are so excited to have so many amazing bloggers party with us.
Check out this weeks Featured linkups.


Thank you so much to all those who share your blog in our party.
Last week we had 481 awesome linkups!   
SHARE:

February 1, 2016

Becoming a Perfumista with Demeter Fragrance Library Foolproof Blending Kits


Have you ever wanted to experiment with different perfumes to create your own custom scent without spending a fortune? What if I told you that is now possible thanks to Demeter Fragrance Library's new Foolproof Blending Kits? Considering how the closest I've ever come to mixing fragrances has been layering my perfume and body spray, I was quite excited to take part in this experience as a member of the Canadian Beauty Bloggers Network. To awaken my inner perfumista, I received two Foolproof Blending Kits: a custom fragrance duo containing Clean Skin and Sunshine and a trio which includes Hawaiian Vanilla, Angel Food and Gingerbread. To smell of summer and sweets? I couldn't wait!
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