Tag Archives: The Body Shop

The Body Shop – Honey Bronze Collection (Review, Swatches & Look)

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The Body Shop launched (somewhat) recently several additions to their already popular Honey Bronze lineup (made famous by their Honey Bronzer I believe). With these new additions they’re staying true to the golden goddess look that I’m looking for when when it gets sunny outside. Except, you know, without the added sun damage that comes along with looking tanned!

The Body Shop - Honey Bronze Highlighting Domes
The Body Shop – Honey Bronze Highlighting Domes

These were the absolute highlight (GET IT?!) of the collection to me. They’re labelled as the Honey Bronze Highlighting Domes, but they come in three colours that are very clearly suited towards traditional bronzer, blush and highlighter shades.

The Body Shop - Honey Bronze Highlighting Domes
The Body Shop – Honey Bronze Highlighting Domes
  • Shade 3 is the bronzer of the group. It has a red tint on top of the usual golden shade of a bronzer. I appreciate this because I like that edge of “I got slightly burned” without actually being in pain. (I realize that sounds like an odd description, but a bit of red in a bronzing shade is far more believable that outright orange.)
  • Shade 3 is a pink blush shade with a hint of golden sheen. This is STUNNING on the cheeks. I could wear this shade every day and be perfectly happy.
  • Shade 1 is a traditional champagne highlight shade.
And then Nemo wanted cuddles!
And then Nemo wanted cuddles!

As I was shooting my photos, Nemo wanted a cuddle. And I wasn’t going to say no to that face!

All three highlighting domes on my face
All three highlighting domes on my face

Annnnd back to the Highlighting Domes. Although the packaging is quite bulky, it makes them look absolutely adorable. The product inside each of them is just incredible. Each dome has the same consistency: they’re a hard cream-like formula with a faint sheen. Since they do have that harder consistency, I use a firm brush to pick up the product and blend them into the skin.

All three highlighting domes on my face
All three highlighting domes on my face

I really can’t rave about Highlighting Domes enough. I love the finished look on my skin. The bronzer looks natural, the highlighter is doing its shiny thang and the blush… oh my god the blush. I can’t get over that blush shade. I love, love, LOVE how that looks on my face and I swear it’ll match any eye look I come up with too. LOVE!

The Body Shop Tinted Face Gel
The Body Shop Tinted Face Gel

Also part of the collection is the Tinted Face Gel. I was excited, but a little bit nervous, to try this one out. I’ve never really done any kind of self tanning before (aside from actually laying out IN the sun) so this was a whole new world to me.

The Body Shop Tinted Face Gel
The Body Shop Tinted Face Gel

The gel is really, really dark when you first squeeze it out of the tube. Frighteningly so. Thankfully it spreads out to be a far more subtle shade once it’s blended into the skin.

The Body Shop Tinted Face Gel - Before and After
The Body Shop Tinted Face Gel – Before and After

But… I’m not sold on it. In the above shot, I applied it directly to my face and rubbed it in like a moisturizer. It applied evenly and didn’t streak. However, now that I’m sitting here writing about it, I’m feeling kind of stupid – maybe I should’ve mixed it with my foundation and applied it to my face that way? Perhaps that’d give me a more natural look? I’m too distracted by the fact that my face looks like a completely different colour from my neck. Alright people, how do YOU wear tinted face gels? Give me your advice!

The Body Shop Tinted Leg Mist
The Body Shop Tinted Leg Mist

During the summer I often end up with a fairly annoying sock and shin pad tan lines from running and soccer, and they look pretty darn stupid when I’m wearing a dress and have bright white feet or shins. While my tan lines haven’t been extreme this year, I’d still really like to be able to add some colour to my legs while also covering up my usual mishmash of tan lines. The Tinted Leg Mist could be a possible solution to this.

The Body Shop Tinted Leg Mist
The Body Shop Tinted Leg Mist

On the left side, I’ve applied several coats of the Tinted Leg Mist. On the right, nothing at all. The difference is subtle, but it is definitely there. I like how natural it is – it really does look like I’d gotten a tan and not like I’d covered myself in self tanner. I will say though, I’m not sure how well this will hold up if you’re sitting down. I would recommend this on nights when you know you’re going to be standing up a lot – at bars, dancing, or an event with a lot of mingling. I don’t feel like this would sweat off, but it does feel like you could rub it off on furniture, etc.

and more Nemo!
and more Nemo!

Nemo was all up in these products!

Final Thoughts

The Highlighting Domes knocked it completely out of the park for me! I love how they applied to my skin – all three shades worked well together to create beautiful glowing face makeup. I’m curious to see if The Body Shop will release more shades in this formula – I think it’d be a win for a lot of people.

The Tinted Face Gel was too far off the beaten path for me – although I am going to try mixing it with a foundation the next time I try it to see if I get better results.

The Tinted Leg Mist is very cool, but it’s kind of a take it or leave it product. If you’re in the market for a leg mist, this might be your jam. Unfortunately I can’t compare the longevity of it to anything else on the market as I’ve not tried anything else. But, I do love the natural looking colour it added to my legs.

If nothing else, you need to check out those Highlighting Domes. Serious winners in my book.

This review features press samples sent for consideration.

The Body Shop’s Virgin Mojito

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Raise a hand if The Body Shop was your first introduction to bath products as a young teen? They sure were for me. I have fantastic memories of picking up soaps and shower gels and thinking I was the absolute coolest person alive because I was buying “adult” products with my baby-sitting money. (Oceanus was my scent back in the day, White Musk was my best friend’s – oh the memories.) Satsuma, to this day – verging on twenty years later, is still a staple of mine.

Good grief is this ever a lot of pre-amble to tell you there’s a new collection out! Say hello to Virgin Mojito (which my friends and I pondered as to why it was called “Virgin Mojito” and not just “Mojito”… we came to the conclusion that The Body Shop didn’t want anyone trying to drink this thinking it was full of alcohol. But I digress.) Virgin Mojito is described as “refreshingly fragranced with a twist of zesty lime and the scent of fresh mint”. I get more lime out of this scent than mint (although there’s definitely still mint in there) which made me a happy camper since I have a penchant for citrus. Virgin Mojito is the kind of scent you want to wear in the summer – it’s not heavy and it doesn’t have that overly perfumed scent to it. It’s a “clean” sort of scent and one that’s easy to wear because it’s not too intense. Put simply, Virgin Mojito is refreshing.

The Body Shop Virgin Mojito – Body Butter and Body Sorbet
The Body Shop Virgin Mojito – Body Butter and Body Sorbet

The products I’m most familiar with in any lineup are the Body Butter and the Body Sorbet. The Body Butter has the usual consistency – it’s thick, moisturizing and feels wonderfully luxurious. The Body Sorbet, which I think less people are familiar with, is the fun one to use. It has a frothy, half-whipped gel-like feeling. It’s more of a lightweight moisturizer which makes it quick and easy to use since it absorbs into the skin quickly. Body Sorbets are total winners in my book.

The Body Shop – Virgin Mojito Body Scrub
The Body Shop – Virgin Mojito Body Scrub

The Body Scrub is new to me. This particular scrub is a gelatinous goo (it’s fun!) that has smaller beads suspended within the goop. This will exfoliate your skin, but it’s not a super intense sandpaper-y feel like some scrubs. I’m a morning shower person (unlike Jenn – if you have no idea what I’m talking about, please go read this post and prepare to laugh) so the scent of Virgin Mojito mixed with a nice scrub in the mornings? Completely energizing.

The Body Shop – Virgin Mojito Body Splash and Shower Gel
The Body Shop – Virgin Mojito Body Splash and Shower Gel

The Body Splash is another new product to me. It’s not overly perfumed, so it won’t last a super long time, but it’s got enough of a kick to it that it’s great for splashing on yourself if you’re headed out to the beach and don’t want to smell like sunscreen. Or after I play soccer and am going to head out for food afterwards.

The Shower Gel is your typical shower gel that lathers easily and scents your skin for a little while after your shower. I’ve used The Body Shop‘s shower gels for about two decades now and they never fail me.

Kolme checking out the new products
Kolme checking out the new products

So if mojitos are your favourite drink, or you like the scent of lime and mint, or you really just need something new to try for the summer, I’d say you can’t go wrong with Virgin Mojito. This scent is limited edition, so once the summer runs out it’ll be gone – snatch it up quick!

This review features press samples sent for consideration.

Empties – November 2014 through January 2015

Garbage time!

Chella Eyebrow Defining Gel
Chella Eyebrow Defining Gel

Having never used a brow gel, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But uh… it’s really just gel.. for your brows. Revolutionary. I don’t have unruly brows (hell, I barely have brows at all) so this was essentially pointless on me. I used up the Chella Eyebrow Defining Gel and it was perfectly adequate, but I doubt I’m the best test subject for this kind of product.

Purchase? Nah.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in 13 Black
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in 13 Black

This was super disappointing. Make Up For Ever‘s Aqua Liner in 13 Black was super shiny which caused it to collect eyeshadow from the rest of my lid. It picked up pigment from the eyeshadow on my lid. It was beyond infuriating and drove me absolutely mental. Never again will I buy a shiny liquid liner. Ugh.

Repurchase? GOD NO

MAC Prep + Prime for lips
MAC Prep + Prime for lips

MAC‘s Prep + Prime for lips – a must have for me. I finish one of these every 3-6 months because I wear it whenever I wear lipstick. It holds my lip product in place and prevents bleeding outside my lip line that not even lip liner can stop. Must have!

Repurchase? Already have two more open! One at work and one at home.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

Real Techniques‘ Miracle Complexion Sponge is my preferred way to apply foundation. I can barely stand to use brushes now because this thing is so amazing. I’d actually been using this one since March of last year and was worried that perhaps it had gone mouldy in the middle (since I’d heard some people complain that had that happen with their Beauty Blenders) despite regular washings. So I cut it open one day and low and behold, it’s perfectly fine. So if you clean your sponges regularly enough, I wouldn’t worry too much about it going rotten on the inside, even if you’ve been using it for about 9 months.

Repurchase? Already have! I picked one up at IMATS 2014.

MAC Lip Conditioner in Petting Pink
MAC Lip Conditioner in Petting Pink

I’ve had MAC‘s Lip Conditioner in Petting Pink for quite a while before I finally used it up. It was a bit goopy and never really stayed on my lips that long. I didn’t find it actually moisturized all that much since it wore off so fast.

Repurchase? Nah. Pass.

essence Get BIG! Lashes, Benefit They’re Real!, Estee Lauder Sumptuous Infinite, Urban Decay Perversion
essence Get BIG! Lashes, Benefit They’re Real!, Estee Lauder Sumptuous Infinite, Urban Decay Perversion

essence Get Big! Lashes (pr sample) – Great product, but I never really fell in love with it for whatever reason. The curve of the brush made it easy to apply to my lashes and it definitely made them quite black.
Purchase? Nah.

Benefit They’re Real – I love this mascara! It makes my lashes look enormous since the volume it builds is incredible. HOWEVER, this stuff dries up way too fast. For a thirty dollar mascara I’m pretty pissed off that it’s near un-useable after a month and a half. BUT for that month and a half, my lashes looked amazing.
Repurchase? On the fence.

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Infinite (sample size) – This one surprised me. I was expecting an old style bristle brush, but it was actually a rubberized wand with really nicely spaced out bristles. It applied mascara evenly and separated my lashes perfectly.
Purchase? Maybe. I’m put off by the price of high end mascaras, but I really did love this one.

Urban Decay Perversion (sample size) – Another amazing one! Not as separating as some mascaras, but the volume on this was one was especially nice. This one small sample size actually lasted me a really long time (longer than the Benefit one!)
Purchase? Same as the Estee Lauder one. Nice to use, but damn that price is really a put off.

Revlon Top Coat
Revlon Top Coat

Revlon Colorstay Top Coat was… a top coat. Man, I don’t notice any difference with top coats really. Like what’s the difference between a top coat and a clear nail polish? I sure as hell don’t notice one!

Repurchase? Nope.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover

 

A well loved eye makeup remover, but not my favourite as I prefer oil-based removers.

Repurchase? Nah, gone back to my favourite Marcelle one.

Dr. Brandt – Pores No More
Dr. Brandt – Pores No More

This was interesting. I’m not a big fan of primers, so I’m mostly trying to finish up what small samples I have to get them out of my collection. However, Dr. Brandt‘s Pores No More primer was a lot of fun to use. It smells like tea tree oil (and was therefore quite refreshing on my skin) and smoothed on my face like butter. It’s tinted slightly darker than my own skin colour (roughly MAC NW20), so it helped darken up some of my lighter foundations. I have no need for a primer, but this was fun to try out nonetheless.

Purchase? Nah.

Olay Fresh Effects – Bead Me Up and Shine, Shine, Go Away
Olay Fresh Effects – Bead Me Up and Shine, Shine, Go Away

 

Olay Bead Me Up! Exfoliating Cleanser – Totally sucked in by the awesome packaging on these. The scrub is nice, but not especially abrasive. Smelled nice, worked just fine.

Olay Shine, Shine, Go Away! Shine Minimizing Cleanser – Yeah, I’m not convinced this reduced any shine on my face at all. I did love the product though – it was a cool grey colour and smelled really fresh.

Repurchase? Maybe (to both). I don’t have sensitive skin so I like trying out new products all the time, but I’m sure I’ll eventually repurchase these.

Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash
Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash

Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash – I *love* the smell of this. To me it smells intoxicatingly like almonds and cherries (not the cough medicine kind of cherry smell). It’s also gentle on the skin, especially during the winter months when my skin can feel dry and itchy.

Repurchase? This is probably my tenth bottle of this stuff, and I already have another one in the linen closet ready for use!

Fortune Cookie Soap – various
Fortune Cookie Soap – various

 

All of the Fortune Cookie Soap items are not going to be repurchased by me as they are primarily seasonal scents. Mini reviews below.

Personal Space Air Freshener in Flying Monkeys – This was no good at all. It would scent a room for about 10 seconds, then totally dissipated and it definitely didn’t take any bad smells with it.

Lip Scrub in Blow Me! – Delicious! Tasted like bazooka gum with a bit of Fun Dip. Did its job and was fun to use.

Deep Conditioner in Christmas Bonus – This was WONDERFUL. The pepperminty, white chocolate scent was amazing and it made my hair feel fantastic.

Whipped Cream in Wicked, Good – Lovely, but a bit too much of the rich pumpkin scent. The scent would’ve worked better as a candle.

Whipped Soap in Fried Pussycat – Smelled nice and was fun to use. Not sure it’s a cost effective way to make or use soap though.

Hair Oil in Hair Flip – I used this on the ends of my hair and while I didn’t notice a change in the quality of my ends, it sure did make my hair smell nice.

Vaseline Total Moisture Cocoa Radiant
Vaseline Total Moisture Cocoa Radiant

This was my “leave at work” moisturizer. I’ve bought  Vaseline‘s Cocoa Radiant moisturizer many times over the years. It can be a bit greasy, but it’s because it’s so thick. Heavily moisturizing and smells great.

Repurchase? Definitely.

The Body Shop Frosted Cranberry Shower Gel
The Body Shop Frosted Cranberry Shower Gel

 

You really can’t go wrong with The Body Shop‘s shower gels. This one in Frosted Cranberry smells like a fruity alcoholic drink. It was a small size (it was in my Christmas stocking), but it gave me about 5-10 uses out of it.

Finally! /throws out the garbage

What I Bought This Month – January 2015 Haul

I’m one of the fortunate ones that has their birthday in mid-January. So just when I’m getting over (aka sad) the fact that I was showered in presents over Christmas, I get to do it allll over again for my birthday! Woohoo!


Sephora BI Birthday Gift (free)

Sephora BI Birthday Gift (free)

I also get to get my hands on the Sephora Beauty Insider gift early. This year they were handing out a duo of NARS in Cruella and Rikugien. I’ve never picked up any NARS lip products before so this was a nice surprise.


Some Makeup Geek shadows….

Some Makeup Geek shadows….

…and then some more Makeup Geek shadows. ($5.99 per pan, $9.99 per foiled)
…and then some more Makeup Geek shadows. ($5.99 per pan, $9.99 per foiled)

I also went haywire this month with Makeup Geek. An order I placed mid-December finally showed up (problems at the border due to a shipping method they tried out) annnnnd then I placed another order.  I won’t list them all, but I ordered 32 shadows, including the full line of foiled shadows which are just as incredible as everyone else has been saying. I think it’s now my life goal to own all her eyeshadows… (As a note, Marlena has said that she expects to be raising the price of the eyeshadows by a dollar in the coming year because she needs to be able to pay her staff before… hence why I’m going bonkers.)


Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black (gift)
Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black (gift)

My aunt had given me a Sephora gift card for Christmas and I knew exactly what I wanted to pick up with it. I had gotten a sample of the Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black perfume a few months back and while I hadn’t loved it right off the bat, I definitely fell head over heels for it over the coming months. This stuff is NOT cheap, so I was really happy to use  a gift card to pick it up. This is not my typical kind of scent either. This is definitely heavy and sexy, whereas my usual fragrances are all aquatic and watery. I really don’t know why I’m drawn to it so much either.


Smashbox – On The Rocks palette (gift)
Smashbox – On The Rocks palette (gift)

And then, a very good friend of mine (the one I went to Prague with this past year) gifted me a palette by a brand I’ve oddly never used before. (And holy crap the packaging… shiny rainbows?!?!?) Sara knows how much I love palettes and I’m impressed that she managed to grab me something that I didn’t already own!

Smashbox – On The Rocks
Smashbox – On The RocksSmashbox – On The Rocks

Having never used Smashbox before, I’m excited to use this palette especially given how many options there are in there! I believe the On The Rocks palette was limited to the holidays.

Raspberry Red Grapefruit Lip Balm (gift)
Raspberry Red Grapefruit Lip Balm (gift)
The next few gifts are from my friend Alison who is incredibly crafty. This woman can DIY the bejesus out of anything. So when she gives me beauty/bath products for my birthday, I get kiiiind of excited. First up are two pots of Raspberry Red Grapefruit lip balm, which are my absolute favourite flavours so I’m pretty over the moon. These taste DELICIOUS. Plus hello, look at that ombre.


Handmade soap (gift)
Handmade soap (gift)

Next up are three different scented soaps: Chocolate Orange, Rosemary Mint and Guinness Oat Sage. I’ve not opened these yet as I’ve got a lot of soap I’m trying to finish first, but these are sitting in the linen closet making everything smell amazing.


Golden Rose Lotion (gift)
Golden Rose Lotion (gift)

Last year Alison gave me some lotion for either my birthday or Christmas and I finished it up pretty quickly. I love this smell of this one and can’t wait to use it.


Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub (gift)
Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub (gift)

And then, to round it all out, she made THIS. THIS SUGAR SCRUB THING SMELLS FREAKING AMAZING. Lime in anything I’m all like hellz to the YES. But then add in coconut too? Jesus, just add some vodka and I’m good to go.


Omnia Botanica – Beurre de Karite (gift)
Omnia Botanica – Beurre de Karite (gift)

I’m not sure why these didn’t get included in my Christmas haul, but oh well. My brother picked up a few things from France and distributed them amongst my family members. I snatched up the body butter from Omnia Botanica because it’s winter and I need ALL THE MOISTURE… but this thing is hard as a rock. It’s been cold pressed, which I think is part of the issue. Once you get it on your skin it definitely melts, but man, digging it out of the container is a chore in and of itself.


Chemins de Provence – Sels de Bain en Lavende (gift)
Chemins de Provence – Sels de Bain en Lavende (gift)

Another one from France. Since I almost never have bath salts, I grabbed this one out of my brother’s pile and claimed it as my own. Mostly because I need something to soak my sore ass muscles!


The Body Shop – Fijian Water Lotus Shower Gel (gift)
The Body Shop – Fijian Water Lotus Shower Gel (gift)

My mom knows I like anything aquatic-scented, so she picked up two shower gels fromThe Body Shop in Fijian Water Lotus for my birthday. I didn’t even know this stuff existed, but damn does it ever smell good. She said she would’ve gotten me one in the larger size, but it seems they only make a 250ml version? It very faintly reminds me of the Oceanus scent they used to have wayyyyy back in the day. Man I loved that stuff. I had the oil, the perfume, the soap, the shower gel… I was Oceanus everything back in my teen years.


The Balm – Meet Matte(e) Nude (gift)
The Balm – Meet Matte(e) Nude (gift)

Another birthday gift! This one was a total shock to me. I’ve always been interested in trying The Balm, but just never really got around to it. It’s also not a brand I’ve ever brought up with anyone either. So imagine my surprise when my aunt had a package sent to me for my birthday and it was the Meet Matt(e) Nude palette! I’m so pleased with this! It’s a completely matte palette (duh), which I definitely need more of, and the colours are all ones I can incorporate into my brighter looks to help ground them.


Marcelle waterproof makeup remover (~$13 CAD)
Marcelle waterproof makeup remover (~$13 CAD)

And what’s a monthly haul without makeup remover? As I always say… I either buy this on sale, or when it’s in the larger packaging (for the regular price). Marcelle’s waterproof makeup remover is all I need and I have zero intentions of everything trying out another brand again for makeup remover.


You know, aside from dropping like $200 at Makeup Geek (lol) over the last two months, I’m actually surprised how little I spent on myself this month. The bulk of everything was gifts or gift cards that were given to me by very generous friends and family!

What I Bought This Month – December 2014 Haul

Oh December. So filled with holiday presents and limited edition palettes that I just want to devour. Forget spending money on other people, I swear I end up spending more on MYSELF during the holiday season. I feel like I need/want/can’t live without it and it’s not necessarily a mindset I want to be in because the closer I get to being a Sephora VIB Rouge, the more and more scared I get!

That being said, I was the recipient of some pretty sweetass gifts this Christmas (plus, you know, I bought things as well), so I am more than happy to share it all and pass on the lust that product photos induce!

Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar palette ($59 CAD)
Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar palette ($59 CAD)

Oh god. The Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar palette. Like, do I really need another neutrals palette? I mean honestly, I’m not even a neutrals kind of female!

Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar palette
Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar palette

But it’s got (slightly) different colours than the original, it smells lovely and… holy WOW, I was not expecting the slimmer packaging (I have the older, fatter version of the original Chocolate Bar palette) to make so much of a difference, but it really, really does. I’m more inclined to use this because I don’t feel like I’m pulling out a safety deposit box every time I go to use it like I do with the older palette.

I’m hoping she didn’t lick it…
I’m hoping she didn’t lick it…

I wasn’t the only female into it. Kolme’s getting a kick out of the smell as well.

I shall it “Cat with Chocolate Bar”
I shall it “Cat with Chocolate Bar”

D’awwwwwww.

Too Faced Melted – Peony, Violet, Fig, Fuchsia ($25 CAD each)
Too Faced Melted – Peony, Violet, Fig, Fuchsia ($25 CAD each)

And then… and then the Too Faced Melteds happened. I already owned three, but I got five more throughout the month of December. FIVE. I cannot go on about these enough – seriously, best lipstick ever (go check out my rave on Lipstick & Lullabies). So much so that I’m trying to avoid buying other lipsticks because I know they’re just not going to be as amazing as these are. I was gifted Melted Peony by Chantal during a Secret Santa exchange, I picked up Melted Violet and Melted Fig during a Sephora order, and my husband gifted me Melted Fuchsia and Melted Ruby for Christmas. What a serious score. Yessssss!

Bite Beauty Mix N’ Mingle Lip Mini in Musk/Retsina
Bite Beauty Mix N’ Mingle Lip Mini in Musk/Retsina

I was also gifted a Bite Beauty lipstick duo (Retsina and Musk) by Chantal as well! My shot on the right is pretty awful (bad lighting) but it’s nowhere near as pink as the bottom shade on the box depicts! I’m excited to try these shades out as I’ve been using Fig obsessively since I bought it earlier this year.

Lise Watier – Teal ($25 CAD)
Lise Watier – Teal ($25 CAD)

Dear god. This eyeshadow. I wasn’t able to photograph it that well (and boy did I ever try), so go check out Kalyn’s photography of it because that’s what made me buy it. At 25 bucks for the SINGLE eyeshadow, I  had a little bit of sticker shock. I have to admit I’m still cringing over having dumped the money on it, and even more irritated at myself that I haven’t even used it yet! But… the time will come and I too shall enjoy Lise Watier‘s Teal duochromeness.

e.l.f. Small Stipple Brush ($4 CAD)
e.l.f. Small Stipple Brush ($4 CAD)

I snapped up the elf Small Stipple Brush when I happened to be at Target over the holidays (I’m never at Target). Emily Noel goes on and on about this brush so I figured I too must have it in my collection.

Real Techniques – Lash/Brow Groomer ($7.99 CAD)
Real Techniques – Lash/Brow Groomer ($7.99 CAD)

This was bought as a filler item on an Amazon order to bring me up to the free shipping threshold (sigh). I’ve sort of been wanting a lash comb… but not really. I’m sure it’ll come in handy at some point.

Urban Decay Vice palette (2014 edition)
Urban Decay Vice palette (2014 edition)

Ohhhh yes. When my mom asked what I wanted for Christmas in November, I essentially told her she had to go rush out and get the Urban Decay Vice palette from Sephora pronto because I was worried they’d be sold out.

Urban Decay Vice palette (2014 edition)
Urban Decay Vice palette (2014 edition)

And like a champ, she pulled through (and it IS in fact sold out on Sephora’s site now). I had been lusting over this ever since I started seeing it pop up in several YouTube videos. This is the kind of palette I want to have when I’m travelling: A few rows of boring basics, and the rest are bright, loud shades that I can have fun with. Super pleased with this one, which is slightly amusing to me since I had zero interest in the previous iterations of this palette.

Side note: Why the hell are beauty bloggers/YouTubers always so obsessed with the “perfect travel palette”? We’re always talking about the best palette to take on vacation with us like it’s vital to our wellbeing, but let’s be realistic here, we don’t travel THAT much in a given year to warrant the number of “travel-friendly” palettes that we have!

Blistex – Mint, Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
Blistex – Mint, Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

A couple of lip balms I was gifted as well – both highly necessary for the winter!

The Body Shop – Frosted Cranberry
The Body Shop – Frosted Cranberry

Pair of stocking stuffers here: The Body Shop‘s Frosted Cranberry scent in a shower gel and a shimmer(!!!) lotion.

The Body Shop – Pink Grapefruit
The Body Shop – Pink Grapefruit

And yet more Body Shop stuffs! This time in the Pink Grapefruit scent (I’m a huge fan): Body Sorbet (totally new product to me) and another shower gel as well.

Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Cloths ($8.49 CAD)
Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Cloths ($8.49 CAD)

And what’s a haul without some Neutrogena wipes? 😉


Phew! Fini!