EPIC EMPTIES | Fall 2019 Edition

It's hard to believe that we are wrapping up another year and that we are about to enter a new decade. As the saying goes, time really flies! As we have just welcomed winter, I wanted to go through all the products I've used up this past fall, a tradition of sorts on this blog! From makeup to skincare, body care, hair care and more, I'm sharing mini-reviews on how I got along with all. Catch my video to hear me talk about each product in more detail.

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Empties

OSEA Ocean Cleansing Milk, Ocean Lotion and Sea Vitamin Boost | Review

We've all been there - you try one product out, and then you dream about trying the entire range because you've been left in awe by its performance. That would be me + OSEA, a California-based skincare line I have previously professed my love for (evidence here and here). Yet again, I am back with some recent discoveries I just had to share, and while I still have a way to go before claiming I have tried them all, I am inching closer!

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Natural Remedies, Review, Skin Care

Charlotte Tilbury Full Face Of Makeup | Get Ready With Me

Charlotte Tilbury recently came out with new makeup which I was lucky enough to receive, namely the Airbrush Flawless Foundation*, Magic Vanish Color Corrector* and Starry Eyes to Hypnotize Eyeshadow Palette*. As I was sorting through my vanity makeup, I came to the realization that I have collected quite a few of the brand's makeup over the last couple of years, enough to create a full-face look! I love watching one brand tutorials as you get to see what a brand has to offer in action and such videos speak to a product's application performance.

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High End, Makeup, Tutorial, Youtube

EPIC EMPTIES | Summer 2019 Edition

Another season has come and gone, and that can only mean one thing on this blog! I've rounded up all of the products I've used up over the last few months, ranging from skincare to makeup, body care, hair care, fragrance and more. Discover some of my recent favourites in my latest video and find out which ones I think are worth passing upon. As always, I've included links to any reviews I've done in case you are interested in learning more about products I've featured in the past!

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Empties, Review

Vegan Food Haul + Taste Test! | iHerb.com

It has been a hot minute since I've shared a vegan food haul and taste test on here and while perusing iHerb.com recently to stock up on some supplements, I also threw in some never-before-tried snacks and meals into my cart! I'm always amazed by the variety of food I find on the website, and these all caught my attention. From fish-free tuna to vegan mac and cheese and matcha latte, I'm taste testing all of my finds on camera with you so you can see my live reactions! While some were definite hits, others were a little disappointing. Which ones should you give a try? I'm breaking it all down for you in my latest video!

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Haul, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Review, Youtube

Summer Accessory Favourites | What I've Been Loving

What a summer! I hope you all have been having a great one. As for me, I've been reflecting back on the great memories this season has already brought! It's been a while since I've talked about fashion on here, so I figured it'd be good to switch things up a bit and share some accessories I've been loving this summer. I definitely would describe my sense of style as casual and minimalistic on the daily, so I wanted to share items that I've been getting a lot of use out of these past few months - as you will see, they are nothing extravagant, just things I treasure for their simplicity.

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Accessories, Fashion, Review

Birthday Get Ready With Me | Hair, Makeup & Outfit + GIVEAWAY!

My birthday passed earlier this month and I had a fun-filled weekend celebrating with friends and family! I decided to show you how I got ready for one of my outings, from head to toe, in my latest video. I opted to straighten my hair, and went for a natural makeup look with minimal products used. I decided to wear a blue patterned cocktail dress which I paired with some comfortable wedges. I also tried out a new eyeshadow palette, which I am also giving away! Keep reading to find out how to enter for a chance to win.

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Fashion, Giveaway, Hair, Makeup, Skin Care, Youtube

My Top Chemical Exfoliants Recommendations

While the word "chemical" can sound scary, when it comes to an exfoliant, it's something I very much covet and that can be extremely beneficial, as long as I find what works best for my skin type. As a teenager, I was no stranger to benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, having tried not only a slew of over-the-counter drugstore acne treatments but prescription-grade skincare as well. At the time, I was also going ham on mechanical exfoliants, aka scrubs, which were only aggravating my skin because of how harsh they actually were. I never had much luck, and if I did, I would only see positive results for just a few days or weeks before my acne flared up all over again. Although I still deal with breakouts, the worst is behind me and I now look for products that will help even out texture and speed up skin cell turnover to help with my scarring and hyperpigmentation. I've rounded up some of my top chemical exfoliants I think are worth checking out and that, in my opinion, are fairly priced for what they deliver as well.

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Review, Skin Care

DERMA E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum & Instant Radiance Citrus Facial Peel | Review

Vitamin C is a very hot ingredient in the skincare world at the moment, and I've personally been on the hunt for a skincare line that I could test out to see how my skin would fare using this ingredient in a more concentrated way. I got my hands on the DERMA E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum* and Instant Radiant Citrus Facial Peel* recently, which both sounded very promising. I've been using them for close to two months now, so I figured I would check in and share my results so far. I would like to preface my review with the fact that I have combination skin that is also sensitive and acne-prone. What makes vitamin C so fantastic is that not only is it anti-aging but it is also brightening and has even been shown to be damage repairing by helping fade sun damage and dark spots. It also protects the skin from free radicals thanks to its high antioxidant concentration.

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Review, Skin Care

EPIC EMPTIES | Spring 2019 Edition

It's officially my favourite time of the year and I couldn't be more excited! Although summer temperatures have taken longer than usual to settle here in Montréal, I'm hopeful that they are here to stay. I sat down the other day to film my latest empties video, in which I share all the products I got to finish in the past season. I managed to use up quite a bit, and I feel so much lighter now that my recycle bin is full! Find out which products I cannot recommend enough and which ones I think you should pass on in this latest installment of Epic Empties.

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Empties

PURITO Comfy Water Sun Block | Korean Skincare Review

With summer just around the corner, the importance of using sun protection comes up quite a bit. As someone who enjoys basking in the sun, I try my best to remember to apply a lotion with SPF, but I will admit I can be forgetful at times. I personally find coming across a sun block I actually enjoy using makes me less likely to forget to apply some. Purito, a Korean skincare brand I not too long ago had the pleasure of discovering (more on that here and here!), recently came out with their new Comfy Water Sun Block* which contains an SPF of 50+ and can be used on both the face and body. I've been using their Centella Green Level Safe Sun for the last few months which I have been absolutely loving, so I couldn't wait to put their latest launch to the test. The expectations were high, and I'll be breaking down what this sun block has to offer.

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Review, Skin Care

Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation & Ultra HD Light Capturing Self-Setting Concealer | Review

Having been on a pressed powder kick for a while now, my heart skipped a beat when I saw that Make Up For Ever recently released their Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation*. I had previously reviewed their original Matte Velvet Skin Foundation (liquid form) and was overall really happy with the results, so I was looking forward to see if this one would yield a similar afterthought. The brand also not too long ago released its range of Ultra HD Light Capturing Self-Setting Concealer*, so  I decided to film a first impression using both together. Did my initial feel for these products go as expected? And do I still feel the same way having used them a few more days after filming? Keep reading to find out!

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High End, Makeup, Review, Youtube

Marc Anthony Instant Miracle Mask Damage Repair & Volumizing Clay Hair Mask

Marc Anthony is a brand that has been around for a while, yet I had never tried their products (until recently that is)! I remember thinking for the longest time that this company was founded by the singer. Upon digging deeper, I realized that is not the case: it was created by a hair stylist over 20 years ago, who also happens to also share this famous name. The company is headquartered here in Canada, but the products are sold internationally, which I was not aware of. When I received the Marc Anthony Instant Miracle Mask Damage Repair & Volumizing Clay Hair Masks*, I was very intrigued and have been using them for the last few weeks. I wanted to report back on how I have been getting along with these masks, so here goes!

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Drugstore, Hair, Review

Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer & Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum

Does anyone else always peruse articles online before making a beauty purchase? I'm that person that will pull up a new tab and do a quick search on my phone while debating whether to spend the moola in the aisle. That's why I love sharing reviews so much because they help me make an informed decision on what's worth giving a try. I've been a fan of Paula's Choice skincare for a few years as they make some of my favourite cleansers and moisturizers. Although I regularly rotate the skincare brands I use, I always come back to using their line. Paula's Choice recently came out with two new products: the Omega+ Complex Moisturizer* and the Earth Sourced Power Berry Serum*. I've been using them for the past few weeks and wanted to report back on how I have been faring with these new additions to my skincare stash.

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Review, Skin Care

Renpure Tea Tree Lemon Sage & Restorative Hemp Oil Hair Care | Review

I've been on a new hair care kick for the last few months (catch my last feature here!), and one brand that I wanted to take the time to share with you is Renpure. I had heard of this company in the last few years, but it isn't until recently that I discovered that it is available in drugstores in Canada. What immediately drew me to this brand is that all of their products are plant-based and gluten-free, made with natural ingredients and void of harmful toxins such as dyes, sulfates, parabens, phtalates and formaldehyde. I personally love trying out new shampoos and conditioners, so I was looking forward to seeing just how well Renpure's Tea Tree Lemon Sage* and Restorative Hemp Oil* hair washing duos perform.

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Drugstore, Hair, Review

Sothys Summer Chill Collection | Review + Makeup Look

I always look forward to seeing the makeup Sothys releases, and this year's Spring/Summer collection is no exception! I am a summer baby through and through, so when I saw that they had named their latest one the Summer Chill Collection*, I was immediately drawn to it. I got my hands on a few items from this limited edition release, namely a blush, bronzer, eyeshadow palette, lip pencil, two lip crayons and nail polish. I figured I might as well show you how these apply and how you can easily achieve a wearable look using them together, so I have also put together a video showing you exactly how I have been using these products.

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High End, Makeup, Review

Cake Beauty Vegan Hair Care and Skincare | Review

Cake Beauty is a brand I have been familiar with for a few years, but it isn't until recently that I took a deep dive into their products to see what they are all about. What attracted me to this line in the first place is that they are Canadian, vegan and cruelty-free, and aesthetically, their products just scream cute and fun! I first tried The Wave Maker last year and was looking forward to test out more of their hair care, namely The Posh Wosh, The Soft Serve, The Take Out and The Hold Out, as well as some skincare, namely Heavy Cream and Cake Walk. Curious to know how I've been getting along with these Cake Beauty* products? I'm spilling the tea on these deliciously-scented goodies!

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Drugstore, Hair, Review, Skin Care

EPIC EMPTIES | Winter 2019 Edition + GIVEAWAY!

I hope everyone's spring is off to a great start! I've been keeping busy with new and exciting endeavours these past few weeks, and I feel like this first quarter has just flown by. As tradition holds, I sat down and filmed a video in which I share all of the products I managed to declutter and use up in the last few months. I recently went through my makeup collection and got rid of products that no longer served me and which, as you will see, I also included in this empties episode. I wanted to give back to my amazing community, and am giving away a selection of makeup and skincare products from some of my favourite beauty brands you may have heard me talk about and share on the blog and YouTube channel over the years. Just keep reading to find out what's up for grabs!

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Empties, Giveaway, Youtube

PURITO Centella Green Level Recovery Cream & Safe Sun | Korean Skincare Review

I recently introduced you all to PURITO, a Korean skincare brand that distinguishes itself for its cruelty-free stance and that focuses on delivering high-quality products made from non-toxic, EWG-certified ingredients. I posted an in-depth review of the PURITO Centella Green Level Buffet Serum, and this time around, I'm back to share a couple more products I have been using together with the serum, namely the PURITO Centella Green Level Recovery Cream and the PURITO Centella Green Level Safe Sun*. I always get excited to try new skincare products and report back on how they perform, as I myself like to research products before trying them out. I hope you find this post helpful if this is your first dive into Korean skincare as well!

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Review, Skin Care

Azelique Age Refining Skincare | Review

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by iHerb and all opinions expressed are my own. Affiliate links provided.

If you've been following this blog for a while, you know how much of a fan of iHerb I am! I first stumbled across the superstore's website around the same time I started blogging back in 2012 (time flies), and I've been purchasing from them ever since. Never heard of iHerb? You've been missing out! Let me bring you up to speed. iHerb is a world leader in guaranteeing the best overall value to customers when it comes to natural products, carrying more than 30,000 products. They offer a Triple Guarantee for 100% customer satisfaction: value guarantee (as mentioned above), quality guarantee (they are based in California and assure U.S.-based brand authenticity as well as quality assurance by shipping from climate-controlled warehouses), and delivery guarantee (with free or discounted shipping to over 150 countries). If like me you are located outside of the U.S., you can look into shipping methods to your country. I was recently introduced to Azelique, a vegan and cruelty-free skincare line exclusive to iHerb and wanted to share how I have been getting along with this new-to-me range.

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Review, Skin Care

PURITO Centella Green Level Buffet Serum | Korean Skincare Review

K-beauty has gained a lot of popularity in the Western world in recent years, and I for one have definitely been sucked into trying various brands out and even showcased some here on the blog throughout the years. The latest brand to have caught my attention is PURITO*. What makes them stand out from the rest, you ask? Not only are they cruelty-free, but they are also conscious and honest about the ingredients that go into their products, which are all EWG Verified, meaning they were tested for their overall hazard to the human body and were deemed as safe. The name PURITO is a fusion of the words "purify" and "to", which stands for soil. Thus, their ideology is based on ensuring that you are only exposed to the cleanest ingredients that come from the earth.

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Review, Skin Care

Go-To Skin Serum and Oil Blends | Face & Body

As I'm sure is the case for many of us, when I first started dabbling in all things skincare, I feared to apply oils directly on my face. As a teenager, I had oilier skin and as someone who deals with acne on the regular, the thought of oils actually helping and not making my skin break out more didn't make sense to me. As I learned, the right oil or oil blend for your skin will help maintain your moisture barrier and also make your skin more resilient thanks to the high vitamin content and antioxidants that will nourish, strengthen and protect it.

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Natural Remedies, Review, Skin Care

Balanced Matte + Glowy Makeup Look | Chit Chat Get Ready With Me

I've been itching to film a makeup tutorial since it's been ages since I've done one, and with some sunny weather finally cooperating, I knew it was a sign to get on it! I've been keeping my makeup pretty simple these days, nothing too complicated or time-consuming. I have been doing a few steps differently though which I find make for a positive change, which I share with you in this Chatty Get Ready With Me. I also talk about chopping a chunk of my hair off on my own earlier this week, so if you'd like to know if it was a triumphant success or a major fail, you'll have to tune in to find out! I also fill you in on what new tools and techniques I've incorporated into my skincare routine and that have been total game changers. If you would like me to do a separate post on these, do let me know!

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Makeup, Tutorial, Youtube

Vital Face Care | Natural Skincare Review

It's no secret that I enjoy discovering new skincare brands, especially when they are mindful of the ingredients they include in their products. Over years of testing, I've had the chance to try out hundreds of products, and I get just as excited today as I did in my early blogging days when a new range makes its way onto my test shelf. One such brand that has recently piqued my curiosity is Vital Face Care*, a Canadian brand that has just recently launched. I was drawn to this line for a few reasons: 1) they are cruelty-free, 2) they incorporate naturally-derived and organic ingredients, and 3) from a marketing standpoint, I got sucked in with their vibrant packaging and clever product names. The true testament to their apparent greatness: are these products as amazing as they sound? Let's dive right into it, shall we?

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Natural Remedies, Review, Skin Care

OSEA Seaweed Face and Body Care | Natural Skincare Review

It's no secret that I am a big fan of California-based and family owned and operated skincare line Osea. I first professed my love for the brand last year and have been enjoying discovering what other products they have to offer. Over the last few months, I have been trying out a handful of new-to-me products from the range. What makes this line so special you ask? Their founder's story, their mission and their use of high-quality ingredients are just some of the things that drew me to them, not to mention they are also vegan and cruelty-free. Organic seaweed is a key ingredient in their products, something I had never tried topically prior to coming across their brand and I was definitely missing out!

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High End, Natural Remedies, Review, Skin Care