Study, Study, Study..and more Studying.

I have been MIA for quite a while and no one knows how hard it has been for me to be away from this part of my life for this long...it has honestly killed me. I miss my followers and just writing.

I was away for a while, just to focus on school and pursuing and striving in that part of my life and it has been absolutely CRAZY! Although, I've missed this part of my world...I was studying and working my ass off for a competition for school and we did so amazing and I am so proud of everyone - and it was hands down one of the best experiences I have ever had, and I don't regret it for a second.

Anyways, I do have some more free time and I am done school for the holidays in just 2 weeks! ALMOST THERE! I am going Black Friday shopping and will be picking up a few products, that I am DYING to try and have not yet made their way to Canada.

AND

In just over a month I will also be attending IMATS LA and I am SO excited to be experiencing this for the first time, and really I would just like a vacation! I am considering instead of just posting blogs about my experience while I am there...I think I am going to make a video or a few, and post those to my Youtube channel and get into that! I've been told by quite a few people that it's definitely something I should do.

Would anyone be interested in videos if I posted them? Not to say I'll stop writing - I could never!

So, that's what's been up with me lately. I will be posting a few blogs shortly with some great reviews and greats products that I've tried in the last few months and I can't WAIT to share them with you all.

Keep smiling :) xx

Rae

Liebster Award!

Hey beauties!

I was just recently nominated for a Liebster Award by the beautiful Bex over at http://www.bubblyb.co.uk/ AND Tara over at http://taras-imperfect-perfect-beauty.blogspot.co.uk/. A massive thank you to BOTH of them for nominating me! :)

The Liebster Award is an award that's given to bloggers with less than 200 followers and it's to help promote their blog and encourage other bloggers.

The rules for the award are as follows:

1. You must link back to the person that nominated you

2. You have to answer the 11 questions given to you by the person who nominated you

3. You must nominate 11 fellow bloggers with less than 200 followers

4. You have to come up with 11 questions for your nominees

5. You must make the bloggers you have nominated aware that you have done so

6. You can include 11 facts about yourself (this is optional)

Bex's 11 Questions:

1. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? 

I would like to see myself still blogging - successfully! This is something that I am so passionate about. If I could blog as a career about music, my life would be completely. The two most important things in my life.

2. What piece of technology could you not live without?
My phone, definitely! My phone has my schedule and I have a very busy schedule. If I had to try and remember it...I'd probably crawl in a hole and cry.

3. How would you describe yourself in 4 words? 

Passionate, friendly, dedicated and outgoing.

4. Would you prefer staying in and watching a movie or going out to a club?

It would depend. I love going out with my friends, but sometimes you just have to stay in!

5. If you could go anywhere in the World where would you go?

London, England and Italy. I couldn't choose just one. One day I will make it to both places!

6. What was your favourite TV show as a kid? 

Probably Figure It Out and Clarissa Explains it all on Nickelodeon. Does anyone remember those shows!?

7. What would be your dream job?
I went to the MMVA's in 2009 (Canadian music award show) and we got kind of a backstage look at everything that went on and we got to see how everything worked in regards to marketing and that's when I fell in love with it all. My dream is to work in marketing for Much Music.

8. What's your favourite meal?

Oh my god, fast food would be the Smokehouse Turkey panini from Panera. We don't have a Panera..but when I go to the states! My friend and I have this list of all the places that we want to try that we DON'T have here in Canada...In-N-Out burger is number one!

9. Do you prefer Summer or Winter? 

I prefer fall, actually. I know that wasn't the question..but I would choose it over both. If I had to choose, summer. I don't like winter, and winter doesn't like me - we're enemies.

10. What's your favourite colour? 

I am going to be a little abnormal, but I love coral. It's definitely my favourite colour.

11. Did you have a favourite boyband when you were younger?
I was an Nsync girl when I was really young. I am a definite fan of the Jonas Brothers, yes, EVEN NOW! They were a big part of my life and the reason I even know the friend I mentioned above. I am so grateful for them even though I've never met them!

Nominations

Hannah

Anouska

Danielle

Seraphina

Olivia

Rachel

Naomi

Emma

Marci

Millie

Nadine

My 11 Questions:

1. What is your all time favourite song?
2. What is your favourite TV Show currently?
3. What is the best book that you've read recently?
4. What's been your biggest accomplishment so far?
5. Are you a lipstick or lip gloss kind of girl?
6. What beauty and/or fashion product are you wanting right now?
7. What is your number 1 beauty tip?
8. What's your favourite candy?
9. Beauty Product you can't go a day without?
10. Top 3 online shopping sites.
11. Do you have any pets?

I really enjoyed writing this out, so I hope all the girls I nominated enjoy it as well!

Night beauties :)

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My week in Instagrams!

Review: Revlon Lip Butters Spring 2013

Hello lovelies :)

I have been, for lack of a better word, OBSESSED with the Revlon Lip Butters since they came out. There was so much hype surrounding this product when they came out and for me, that just hasn't died down.

I know that I am late in posting this, I've missed spring by a long shot (longer if you go by the weather, it's felt like fall here for almost a month!) but I picked up a few of the new spring/summer shades and just HAD to share my love for them with you all!

The new limited edition shades were absolutely gorgeous colours and I could NOT resist buying a few.

The new shades that I had bought were:

Juicy Papaya
Wild Watermelon
Sorbet

For me, in the summer these are amazing products..keep in mind, I said in the summer. Since it's so humid where I am in the summer...my skin isn't quite so dry, neither are my lips, so the moisturizing aspect is a little less important to me. However, in the winter, these don't go on nearly as nice because it's extremely hard to keep my lips hydrated. The colour on these ends up clinging to my dry lips and then it starts peeling.

BUT IN THE SUMMER....these are my favourite <3 nbsp="">

Side note: I apply chapsticks and lip balms like it's going out of style during the day...I don't particularly look for the staying power in these products, so the lasting power of these on me..is about one hour or two. If I'm looking for staying power, I'll use a lipstick or balm stain.

I did a swatch for the shades that I currently have, I wanted to wait until there was more natural light (or natural light AT ALL) which apparently isn't happening. I wrote this blog at night and it's been cloudy and rainy the last few days. They are in the same order as the picture above.

What's your favourite shade in the Revlon Lip Butter line of products?

Have a BEAUTIFUL day lovelies xox

Rae

Revlon Colorstay Reformulation!

I have been completely MIA lately from this blog and God, have I missed it! I have been extremely busy with school (still, yes! - but on the bright side, I finished my third semester with Academic Distinction and my fourth semester with Academic Honours! WOO!)

If you have ever read my blog or any of my posts, my favourite foundation so far has been Revlon Colorstay for Combination/Oily skin and it has been absolutely amazing for me...until now that is.

I really don't understand why people love to mess with good things or things that aren't broken (and maybe a little bit of my personal life is coming out in this blog, but it really was the cherry on top of a really horrible situation.)

I bought a bottle of this about a month ago to replace the one I had just emptied and thought that I had bought a defective bottle...mainly because I couldn't get it OUT of the bottle. Without really thinking anything of it, I went and returned it and switched for another bottle. When I got home, unfortunately..I ran into the same problem and knew that it wasn't just the bottle. I started doing some digging around on the internet and found out that ha, they reformulated. I, however, had just cleaned out my makeup drawer and threw out any old foundation bottles that I had..including the old Revlon Colorstay bottle that had the old formulation, so I couldn't compare myself. I did find one on another blog though and it confirmed that it had been reformulated.

Do I like the new formula? That would be a no.

I have a feeling that this new formulation was supposed to be in a bottle with a pump, which for some strange reason...it isn't. Not really sure whose sparkling idea that was..because without the pump, it's like molasses in a bottle. Strike 1.


I have mentioned this so many times on this blog, I swear I've lost count...but my deciding factor with foundation is whether or not it transfers. I have oily skin, so anything that transfers easily will end up making my skin look patchy because the oil breaks down my makeup so quickly. The staying power of this formula I found to be significantly less..I found that it transferred much more easily than the original and I am not a fan of that. Strike 2.

On top of the fact that it transfers, I found that it just didn't sit nearly as well on my skin as the original. I feel like it compares more to the whipped version and I wasn't a fan of that one, because it didn't hold up well to my oily skin. Strike 3.

I have been a fan of this foundation and have been using it for so long and I honestly didn't think I would ever stop using it, but chances are I won't be using the bottle I have now and I probably will not repurchase it again.

I have gone on a search for a new foundation and have recently ventured back into the world of mineral foundation. So we'll see how that works!

Night all!
Rae xoxo

Small Drug Store Haul!

I just want to say on a little bit of a side note that I absolutely LOVE the weather right now. It`s getting so warm where I live and it's so beautiful! Summer is my favourite! :)

I went to the drug store just to pick up more foundation and just as it is for everyone, you go in for one thing and come out with a cart full. They're out to get you with basket sizes, I swear!

Products

Revlon Colorstay Oily/Combo in 150 Buff.

L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hair Spray

Method Pink Grapefruit hand soap.

TSTC Strawberry & Papaya Fruit Scrub

Sally Hansen No More Mistakes.

Quo by Orly Detailer Brush & Dotter Duo Tool

The first thing I knew I absolutely had to pick up was L'oreal's Elnett hair spray. I have been hearing rave reviews on this product by so many people and someone recommended that I try this product, so I went out and picked it up ! I haven't curled my hair recently and it hasn't been humid enough where my hair needs that hold, but soon we'll see!

I have once again gone back to my Revlon Colorstay foundation...I just haven't found anything better that compares. I absolutely love this foundation. It gives great coverage, it's buildable, doesn't transfer and keeps my oilies at bay!

I purchased the TSTC Strawberry and Papaya scrub on a whim because I needed one and the Soap & Glory one wasn't there. It was the only other one in the store. I found this product to be a little abrasive but I have tough skin apparently, because it worked great for me. Left my skin silky smooth and sloughed all the dry skin off. The scent is a little overwhelming but it smells like strawberries and cream, so it's not all bad!

I have an addiction to painting my nails, the only downside is that I don't always have a steady hand. I was originally using a brush and nail polish remover to clean up my edges, and it does work. I saw the Sally Hansen No More Mistakes at the drug store and thought, what the hell! I bought it and tried it out. It works well. The issue I had with using a brush is that the bristles are too soft and it took much too long to remove the polish.

The Quo Detailer brush was bought on a whim and I love it. It`s so easy and makes my nails look like they were done by a professional! LOVE! The dotter tool has 2 separate ends, one has a smaller dotter tool and the other a little larger.

I'll let you guys know how these products work :)

Have a BEAUTIFUL day!!

xo Rae

May Topbox Unboxing

Hey all!

I received my May Topbox in the mail this morning and after the whole Glymm debacle, I was SO excited to get it since I didn't receive my last Glymm box and I am not disappointed!

The first thing that I received in my Topbox was a full sized product - Cuccio Colour Nail Lacqeur. It's a neutral shade and I love that because I really don't have many. I'm really excited to try this product out. Full Size: $10.

I also received a sample of Lise Watier Haute Couleur High Coverage Lip Lacqeur in colour 343 Stylista and it's a really beautiful pink colour. The sample size was 1.5 mL and the full size is 6 mL and is $23.

The next product was a shadow refill from the Yaby cosmetics line and Copper Wire. I swatched this eye shadow and the first thing I noticed was the texture - it was super silky, not grainy. The colour payoff is awesome, it's highly pigmented and just looks beautiful. I apologize for the poor focus! -.-

The last product I received was the Roberto Cavalli Shower gel and it smells AMAZING. The sample size is 1.0 fl oz. and the full size is $80. 

This ambery floral fragrance illuminates with pink peppercorn, orange flower absolute and roasted tonka beans.

I am pretty happy with the box that I received this month and can't wait to try everything out!

I hope you all loved your boxes this month.

Have a beautiful day lovelies :)

xoxo Rae

Glymm vs. Glossybox & Topbox

Hi All!

I got my Glymm Box in the other day and to say I was unimpressed was an understatement - January's Glymm Unboxing. I stated the obvious reasons that I was upset with my Glymm Box and the samples and brands that I had received and now I'm going to show you the difference between Glymm's samples and Topbox and GlossyBox's samples.

Now, I understand that there are differences cost wise between the companies. I know that GlossyBox is roughly $21/month and that Glymm just recently adjusted their cost to $15/month. However, in this months GlossyBox were 3 full sized products, and in this months Glymm...we received 1 deluxe sized sample - if you could call it that. If you're going to claim that you provide 4-5 DELUXE sized samples each month, than they should be bigger than the size you can get for free from the drugstore. I don't believe that the samples Glymm sent out even add up to the $13 I spent.

If it were a little more of an expensive product and it was a tiny sample, I can kind of understand but it's not.

I have pictures below to show you the difference between samples I have received from Glymm and similar brands that I have received from Topbox and GlossyBox.

Click the image to enlarge.

On the left is the sample that I received in my Glymm Box the other day - sample size .25oz. On the right is a sample of the same product that was in the January GlossyBox - sample size 1 oz.

The one on the right seems more like a deluxe sample than the one I received in my Glymm box.

Click image to enlarge.

These are similar mascara samples that I received at different times. The first one is Clinique. The second one is an Urban Decay sample I received for free. The third one is Benefit's They're Real mascara that I received last month in my Topbox and the last one is the one I received in my Glymm Box this month.

Here's the kicker...

Full Size Costs

Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara - $19.00

Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara - Travel Size ($10) Full Size ($20)

Benefit They're Real Mascara - Travel Size ($10) Full Size ($23)

Lashem Double Trouble Mascara - $19.99

There was no size listed on the mascara I received in my Glymm Box, I suppose there's a reason for that. You can obviously see the difference in size. I don't understand why Glymm keeps doing this. We're not even getting our money back in the product we receive. It's not worth it. 

I'm not sure if the price adjustment is going to bring a change to the product we receive, but at this point...I'm  too disappointed to wait and find out. I have been hoping that the boxes would improve but seeing the mascara sample and the Burt's Bees sample and comparing them with different beauty subscription boxes...that was the final straw for me. I'm quite mad that Glymm attempted to pass off this month as a Deluxe Sample Beauty Subscription Service. I beg to differ.

Sorry Glymm, but I'm jumping ship. It was nice while it lasted...I think.

For anyone debating between Glymm and any other BSS, I strongly recommend another company.  The product just isn't worth it anymore, they're just not providing deluxe samples anymore...and it seems to me, that nothing seems to be tailored towards the beauty profile. I'm tired of getting anti-aging/firming products that I know I won't be using.

xox Rae

January Glymm Unboxing/Review

Hi Lovelies!

I received my Glymm Box this morning and it was a little delayed on Glymm's end due to shipment issues, I should have received it about a week ago. It's okay though, as long as I got it! Just a bit of a warning, this blog post is going to be very picture heavy!

Before even opening my box, I was a little disappointed because the box was incredibly light and I knew right then that the samples were going to be small. The picture below is how the box is received, with my address edited out of course!

Glymm now uses these cute little bags instead of the boxes most BSS's use. I applaud them for being environmentally friendly - minus the outside box of course. 

The products I received in my Glymm are in the picture above and I will list them below with their sample sizes (if available) and their full size cost.

LA Fresh Travel-Lite Facial Cleansing Wipe

First off, I have received the LA Fresh samples on numerous occasions and I did not at all like the waterproof makeup wipes as they were incredibly too greasy. It's a little disappointing to keep receiving samples of a brand that you don't like. These are individually wrapped travel wipes and a pouch comes with 3 and they are $3.00

On the package it says: Perfect for jetsetters, go-getters, outdoor enthusiasts and multi-taskers everywhere.

First Impression: I don't travel all that much at this moment as I'm in school and much too busy. I will, however, be making a few trips to the west coast later this year. Having said that, I do see the appeal in the convenience of individually packaged makeup wipes if you happen to just need one. Maybe you're one of those people who likes to take their makeup off when you get on a plane - in that case, you really only need one and carrying around a whole pack of makeup wipes might not be suitable. However, if I'm traveling and I'm going to be staying somewhere for a longer period of time (week or more - and usually that's the case) the appeal for individually wrapped makeup wipes is gone, especially if I'm paying $3.00 for 3 packets. I am always on the go with class and work, but I'm always on the go....at home, where I live. It's not likely that even if I like the product, that I will repurchase because it's just not plausible for me right now.

One pro for this product right off the bat though, it's environmentally friendly!

Burt's Bees Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

I am not really such a huge fan of Burt`s Bees products. I like the fact that they are natural products, but I have never really had that amazing feeling with their products. However, I am always looking for a new lotion...'cause it's winter, and freezing and my skin hates that.

The downfall, the sample size is .25 oz which is not at all considered a "deluxe" sample. This sample would barely cover my leg.  No cost was listed for this item.

Coolway Boost Serum

This innovative hair serum restores and repairs when activated by low heat from styling, giving professional results.

How it works: Cleanse your hair with shampoo and then apply at least 3 teaspoons.  Work evenly throughout hair. Leave in for 4 minutes to allow effective results.  Rinse off with warm water, towel dry hair and blow dry.  For smooth results, use a comb or brush to help smoouth your hair with your blow dryer.  Wait at least 3 days between Boost applications.  Boost infuses moisture into your hair and locks it in wiht a unique blend of Silk Proteins and Botanical Extracts.

The sample size for this product is 1 oz which is just a bit smaller than a travel size. A full size product is 9 oz and is $40.00.

This is the ONLY product that I consider to be a "deluxe" sample in this months box.

360 Skincare DMAE Firming Serum

Transform your skin from dull, dreary and mundane to vibrant, youthful and radiant.

This sample is .20 oz. and comes in a little jar, about the same size you receive when you request a sample from a MAC counter...for free.

The full size product is 1 oz and the cost is $34.00.

I'm not sure why I received this product, I am 24 years old and for the life of me can't figure out why they would send me a firming serum.

Lashem Double Trouble Mascara

This is probably one of the most disappointing samples I have received thus far. First of all, the entire mascara is about an inch and a half.

Second, the wand is about 1 cm long and the mascara is completely dried up.

There is no size on the sample product, but the full size is $20.00 for 6 mL of product.

Overall

I am not at all impressed with Glymm at the moment. Their boxes have been getting worse as the months go on and the samples are getting smaller in size. The samples I received this month are maybe 1 or 2 uses which is really upsetting and I have been receiving a lot of duplicates.

I have been subscribing to Glymm for just about a year now and sadly, I think I'm getting to the end of my subscription - by choice.

I receive Topbox as well and the brands are better and the sample sizes are larger, and it's cheaper.

Glymm has recently made an adjustment to their subscription price from $12/month to $15/month but I'm not sure if I want to keep my subscription to see how it turns out.

Does anyone else subscribe to Glymm? Do you like your subscription so far? What do you think?

xx Rae

Product Review: Physicians Formula Neutral Palette

I  had been eyeing this palette for quite sometime in our drugstore here in Canadia, but chose not to purchase it because it is quite small and for the size, I think it's quite pricey. In Canada, it's about $18 and I was iffy on that because I had never used their eye shadows before.

I was in the states a few months ago and saw this at Target for only $8.00! I knew I had to get it, so I picked it up with a few other things.

I have been using this palette for months and I LOVE it so much. This is definitely my favourite neutral palette at this moment in time. These shadows go on smooth, and they have amazing color payoff! They're shimmery and great for day or night wear. You can lighten it up or darken however you prefer. The great thing about Physicians Formula palettes is that they are wet/dry application - wet for a more intense, dramatic effect and dry for a more softer look. This allows me to use the black colour on the far left as a liner, by simply dampening a liner brush and applying it to my waterline. I have oily skin and find it very difficult for eyeliners to stay put and this does the job well.

The one thing that I dislike about these palettes is the size of shadows (little more than half a cm). Some are bigger than others, and for the tiny ones it's a little difficult to use without mixing it with the colour on the other side.

They have recently come out with 4 more new palettes that I have so far only found available in Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart. I made a trip to the states and was unable to find these at either Target or Walgreens, which I was really disappointed in. I'm generally used to products coming out in the states first.

Definitely found a winner, though I have to take off points for the varied size of shadows!

Rating: 4/5

xoxo Rae

Physicians Formula Neutral Palettes in CANADA!

I was in the states a few months ago and I picked up a PF Neutral Palette for about $7.00 (compared to $18.00 in Canada) and I absolutely fell in love with it. I have a review for it coming up so keep an eye out!

I was just walking through the drugstore yesterday afternoon and I wish you all could have seen the almost comical way in which my eyes LIT UP when I saw 4 NEW neutral palettes from Physicians Formula. ERMAHGERD! I promise I will never say that again. I am SO incredibly stoked to try these!

Physicians Formula Classic Neutral Palette

Physicians Formula Natural Neutral Palette

Physicians Formula Warm Neutral Palette

Physicians Formula Smoky Neutral Palette

There is probably a little bit of overlap with these 5 palettes, but all the same I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on these. I love and use the regular neutral palette almost every day and they just look amazing on and they blend really well.

I took a trip to the states this passed weekend only to find out that the area that I went had none of these palettes. I was quite disappointed that I wasn't able to get my hands on them yet!

More shockingly, I went to a Walgreens and they had no PF available AT ALL!?! I was hoping to pick up a tube of PF Conceal Rx since we don't have it available anywhere in my city and wasn't able to find it in any of the stores that I looked in. All over disappointing trip for Physician's Formula. 

I am still SO SO SO crazy excited to get my hands on these!

xoxo Rae

Hit or Miss: Maybelline Baby Lips

I bought a few of these when they first came out, and the hype for these products was crazy. I bought them when they were on sale because every one was talking about them and they had such great reviews and I really wanted to try them. I bought two, Pink Punch and Peach Kiss and I paid about $4.00 for them.

In the winter I have really dry lips due to the bitter cold weather we get, however, in the summer the dryness pretty well goes away because it gets pretty hot here as well (bitter winters, boiling summers..love Canada).

I honestly don't see what all the hype for these products were.  I wasn't really a fan of the formula for this product. I didn't find it to be at all moisturizing, quite the opposite actually. I found it to dry out my lips that much more and for anyone who has dry lips, you know applying colour over dry/chapped lips only emphasizes how chapped your lips actually are. Who wants that?!

For anyone who doesn't need the moisturizing aspect in lip products, then these product would be great for you. They have a light colour, and a little shine.

Maybelline Baby Lips: MISS.

Rating: 2/5

Oil Cleansing/MAC Cleanse Off Oil.

In previous posts, I have made no secret of the fact that I do not have perfect skin..far from it, actually! I do get breakouts, and those breakouts do leave nasty, bright red marks behind (for months!). I use a very long lasting foundation to keep those post-acne marks hidden and the most important thing I have learned in skincare is to properly and completely remove all traces of makeup at the end of  the night. The best way to completely remove all traces is to use an oil cleanser.

MAC Cleanse Off Oil is an amazing oil cleanser that contains Jojoba Oil, Wheat Germ Oil,  Rice Oil, Evening Primrose Oil and a few others. Most people are iffy on using oil to clean your skin, but in my opinion...oil cleansers are highly underrated. Oil is amazing at breaking down even the toughest waterproof mascara.

The beauty of MAC Cleanse Off Oil is that it contains Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, which for anyone who doesn't know is a chemical that's added to the oil so that when water is added..the oil will dissolve into a lotion. This allows the oil to wash off clean leaving no oily residue behind. Awesome, RIGHT?

I have used the OCM as well, but I find that I am almost always in a rush and far too busy to keep up with that method. It's easier and more convenient for the oil to just wash off clean. Personal preference, really.

In Canada, MAC Cleanse Off Oil retails at $34.00 and comes in a 150 ml sized bottle. My first bottle lasted me nearly a year and I used it pretty well everyday. The best thing about cleansing oils, is that you only need to use a small amount for it to do the job!

I take the majority of my makeup up with a makeup wipe and remove the rest with a little cleanse off oil. I absolutely LOVE LOVE this product. It works flawlessly and I highly recommend this product to anyone who uses heavier type foundations or anyone who uses sunscreen.

xox Rae.

Review: Urban Decay - De-Slick

For all of you oily skinned girls, this review is for YOU.

I have always had issues with oily skin and I know that there is no way to STOP the oil, that you can only control it. So I have been on an endless search to find the perfect product for my skin to help control my nasty oilies.

Fortunately for me...I found out about Urban Decay De-Slick. I had been eyeing this product for months, almost a year, before I actually purchased the product. The reason for that is because where I live, we don't have a Sephora so buying certain products is quite difficult.

A few weekends ago, I was in Toronto for the MMVA's (for anyone who isn't aware, that is Canada's version of the MTV VMA's) - I had an amazing time by the way, I met Ed Sheeran for anyone who is a fan...he was fabulous and incredibly sweet! - It was quite hot that weekend and I knew that I would be outside for very long hours and was terrified my makeup would melt off my face.

While I was in Toronto, I went into a Sephora and purchased Urban Decay's De-Slick and I have to say I am  amazed with this product. The day of the show, we left our hotel at about 11 a.m. and we were outside in the heat for the majority of the day and by 8:00 p.m. my make up still looked FANTASTIC.

So the product comes in 3 different sizes (depending where you purchase - travel size, normal and XL). I purchased the travel size to give the product a try.

The directions: Shake Well. Apply just before foundation and again after makeup. Hold the bottle 8"-10" away and mist 2-4 times.

It sprays evenly and I didn't find that it was sticky at all. It dried very quickly and once it did, it felt like there was nothing there.

I have very oily, acne prone skin and this product did not break me out or clog my pores.

I still did get oily during the day, but I blot a lot less with it then without it...I'll take it!

Product Rave: Urban Decay Primer Potion

I have tried tons (and I mean tons) of eye primers. Much like the rest of my skin, my eyelids are quite oily - where did I get such awful skin from! I have been on a search for a really good eye primer that will keep my eye makeup from creasing and completely disappearing after a few hours.

So this is most definitely not a new discovery to anyone in this crazy beauty world. This product has been a beauty favourite since it came out. I was pretty skeptical about using it but I was in Toronto for a weekend a while back and was desperate to keep my makeup on for a few hours - after mulling over whether or not to purchase this (it is not sold in my city, fyi) so I was more than ecstatic to find my friend using it! So I tried it.

Mission COMPLETE.

This is absolutely, truly and completely the best eye primer that I have used thus far. It kept my eye make up from creasing and melting off my eye lids in the humid heat - which is quite an amazing feat if you ask me!

I purchased both the original PP and Sin. I have used both and absolutely love Sin because it gives you just a touch of shimmer underneath your eye shadow! BEAUTIFUL!

It will probably be a long while before I even look at purchasing/trying another eye primer.

For anyone with oily eyelids like myself..or someone who wants to keep their eye make up on for an insanely long time..highly recommend this product!

July Favourites!

It is very quickly nearing the end of July (I can't believe summer is almost over!) so I thought I would do a July favourites blog. I have tried SO many products this month and quite a bit of it was actually skincare products. I am going through a bit of a hard time trying to get my skin to behave the last few months. I have combo/oily skin that does break out due.

Alpha Hydrox Foaming Cleanser is the first product that I'm going to share. I have been using this product for well over a few months now and I have actually just finished a bottle of this the other day. I have used many a cleansers, some of which include: Clinique Acne Solutions Foaming, Clinique Foaming Cleanser, and CeraVe Foaming. Alpha Hydrox has been, by far, the best cleanser for my terribly oily skin. This product is soap-free, alcohol free and is Ph balanced. I have combo skin, so I find that it doesn't dry my skin out like every other cleanser has. It's not drying when I use it with all of my acne treatments. The downside to this product? It is NOT available in Canada and I have to make sure to pick it up every time I cross the border. Still an amazing product though. 

The second product that I absolutely fell in love with is, yes another skincare product, but it has done WONDERS for my hyperpigmentation from my lovely acne scars and has helped my acne as well. Beyond Belief ABH Facial Serum is an oil-control serum with salicylic acid (BHA).  The product comes in a little container with a pump at the top. It's a little liquid-y, so I only use a few drops for my entire face. I find it to be a tad sticky, but after it sits..that does go away. This is definitely a product that I will be repurchasing and it is available only in Sally's Beauty stores.

The third product (writing a review for it) has greatly helped in controlling my oilies and makes me makeup look FABULOUS! Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray has kept my oily skin under control when wearing foundation in our VERY humid (it's like a desert) summer. It's also great because I can wear a powder to set my makeup as well and the UD Spray will keep it from getting the cake face. 

This next product is finally a make up product! It is also my all time favourite foundation, I always end up coming back to it. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place foundation in Ecru is my favourite. I do also have it in Shell which is really the other end of the spectrum.  I let the SA color match me and that was a mistake. It comes in a little frosted glass bottle with a gold lid. I do prefer plastic bottles or tubes because I am not at all graceful and I'm a pretty huge klutz, so I'm liable to drop it. You also run into a problem when there's still product left in the bottom but you can't get it! This foundation is a medium coverage and is a semi-matte finish (for all us oily girls!) It is said to have I think a 15 hour staying power..unfortunately, without all the oil-control products, I can't attest to that. I have been using this foundation all winter and still have half a bottle left. It comes in a 1 oz bottle and the cost in Canada is $42.50. A little pricey but definitely worth it. If you have oily skin, then I definitely recommend this product. It has worked much better on my oil slick then other foundations that I have tried.

Aquaphor is the next product that in my favourites. I originally bought this product for my hands but quickly found that I did not like it as it was quite greasy feeling and sticky. I decided to use this on my crazy dry/chapped lips and I love it. It's not sticky and it works better at hydrating my poor lips then anything else. Generally available in most drug stores and it's inexpensive.

This next product is almost an obsession I have. I am completely addicted to the Revlon Lip Butters. They're about $10 CND depending on where you purchase. I've seen them for $8 in some places. The lip butters are moisturizing (granted, not enough for my lips) but by using Aquaphor after the lip butter, it prevents my lips from drying out more. I am debating buying a few more in other colours.

Those are my favourite products of the month and ones that I have completely grown to love and will continue to repurchase!

If you have any recommendations, send me an e-mail glamouraee@gmail.com.

Rae :) xx