Holiday 2015

November 12, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Odylique by Essential Care - Balancing Citrus Super Tonic, Coconut Candy Scrub, Lemon Tea Tree Wash & Tea Tree + Herb Shampoo

≪ Previous: SKINCARE: Bioderma Sebium for Oily Blemished Skin

Ain't nothing like a hot bath in the cold of November.

Call it "bathing desperation". I live in an apartment with 5 people and share a washroom with 2 other girls. I was on the fence about bathing in a shared bath tub, since strangers lived in the apartment before us and it feels inconsiderate to take up the washroom for more than 20 minutes. But the bathing desperation was real, so I bit the bullet, scrubbed the tub and took a bath on a weekend when everyone was away.

My bath bomb of choice was LUSH Yog Nog Bath Bomb ($6.95). Inspired by the vegan version of egg nog, Yog Nog is a creamy, sweet smelling bath bomb formulated with clove bud oil, soy milk powder and organic shea butter.

The Yog Nog Bath Bomb is the same scent as the Lush's Yog Nog Soap. It's toffee and caramel with a touch of holiday spice. Or as Zubie puts it ... a crunch bar. YUM. I found that the scent was present and not overwhelmingly aromatic but not quite as enveloping as I had hoped, especially compared to the soap. Regardless, the scent is right up my alley and perfect for some R&R time.

On first drop into the water, Yog Nog fizzes quickly, turning the bath water a toxic lemon-lime green colour. So fun! Thank goodness I didn't come out of the bath that colour. On another note, the bath bomb is massive. It took more than 10 minutes and then some for the entire bath bomb to disintegrate.

It was a little messy after draining the tub - like white, silvery glittery residue everywhere. Kind of like snow. Everyone needs a little more sparkle in their life, right? (... not if you don't like cleaning it up).

Oh and there's a bath melt inside, which I slathered all over my body. So luxurious and moisturizing! It looks like an egg. As in EGG. NOG. GET IT? Oh, Lush, you are so witty and creative.

How do you stay cozy in November?

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Odylique by Essential Care - Balancing Citrus Super Tonic, Coconut Candy Scrub, Lemon Tea Tree Wash & Tea Tree + Herb Shampoo

November 13, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: #MANIMONDAY: Winter Vibes // Holiday 2015

≪ Previous: LUSH Yog Nog Bath Bomb // Holiday 2015

Fittingly, "Odyl" (as in Odylique) means "powered by nature". Odylique by Essential Care is a UK-based brand that offers organic, cruelty-free skincare, body care and hair care products for all skin types, including sensitive ones!

Odylique Balancing Citrus Super Tonic ($29 USD)

> what it does: cleanses, tones, closes pores, balances sebum secretion

> skin type: oily, normal or combination

> what's inside: Rose ﬂower water*, Sugar-cane alcohol* (please note that we do not add any alcohol to the product - there is a very small amount of organic alcohol residue contained in one of the ingredients; a biodynamic herbal tincture. By law this must be listed on the product label.) Calendula flower extract*, Essential oils of Bergamot* (bergaptene-free), Lemon*, Sweet orange*, and Ylang ylang*

> thoughts: This stuff smells strongly of Ylang Ylang with a tiny bit of a citrus twist. While Ylang Ylang isn't my favourite fragrance, the Balancing Citrus Super Tonic is refreshing and perfect for when I'm feeling a little hot and bothered. The spray bottle isn't as fine of a mist as I would like it to be. I didn't notice any significant difference in my face's oil production but the product feels great on the skin and doesn't irritate me.

Odylique Coconut Candy Scrub ($48 for 5.9 oz, sample size pictured)

> what it does: polishes and smoothes skin

> what's inside: Fairtrade sugar*, Virgin coconut oil*, Cold-pressed sunflower oil*, Non-palm plant glycerine**, Cocoa bean butter*, Coconut fruit*, Sugar emulsifier, Water, Poppy seeds*, Myrtle essential oil*

> thoughts: It's jam packed with fabulous ingredients like virgin coconut oil and sugar cane, but this scrub was a little disappointing. In addition to the poppy seeds, I had expected the sugar to have an abrasive quality but it ain't scrubby enough. On the bright side, the subtly sweet coconut and sugar scent smells like some sort of freshly baked cookie...though I wouldn't pay $48 for a tub.

Odylique Lemon Tea Tree Wash ($14 USD for 30mL)

> what it does: balances, cleanses and disinfects without drying out the skin

> skin type: combination, oily, spot-prone, teenage skin

> what's inside: Aloe vera juice*, Gentle cleanser from coconut & corn glucose, Extra virgin olive oil*, Saponified extra virgin olive oil*, Non-palm plant glycerine**, Essential oils of Lemon*, Lemongrass* and Tea Tree*, Plant origin stabilisers

> thoughts: This one's pretty good, maybe slightly above average for a face wash. It lathers gently, doesn't dry out my skin or bother my eyes, and is sulphate free. It won't remove makeup like an oil-based cleanser but it's a good product for a second round of cleansing.

Odylique Tea Tree & Herb Shampoo ($20 USD)

> what it does: clarifies hair with antibacterial and anti fungal tea tree oil, leaves hair soft and shiny

> what's inside: Aloe vera juice*, Gentle cleansers from coconut & corn glucose, Coconut oil*, Nettle*, Horsetail* & Rosemary* herbs, essential oils of Cedarwood* & Tea tree*, Sunflower (non-GM) lecithin*, Sugar cane alcohol*

> thoughts: Not so into the scent - it's slightly medicinal. I've definitely noticed a decrease in greasiness but my hair has lost quite a bit of its natural shine and softness. It seems to be a bit more unruly and frizzy than with the previous shampoo I'd been using.

I've been testing out these Odylique products on and off for the past few months. Overall, I'd recommend the Balancing Citrus Tonic and the Lemon Tea Tree Wash if you've got oily or acne-prone skin and want products that will balance your face without stripping of its natural oils but would recommend that you pass on the shampoo and the body scrub.

Have you tried Odylique?

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#MANIMONDAY: Winter Vibes // Holiday 2015

November 16, 2015, 9:09 am

≫ Next: Quo Contouring Craze Deluxe Contour Kit // Holiday 2015

≪ Previous: Odylique by Essential Care - Balancing Citrus Super Tonic, Coconut Candy Scrub, Lemon Tea Tree Wash & Tea Tree + Herb Shampoo

Glacial Mist from the CND Vinylux Aurora Holiday Collection is pretty much a winter's sky in a bottle. Normally, I'm not a fan of blue glitter polishes but this one is my winter jam. Something about the soft blue and silver shimmer makes it incredibly wearable, especially when paired with white accents.

I drew inspiration from one of Jayne of Cosmetic Proof's nail art designs and used a white striper to draw 2-3 triangles bordering the perimeter of each nail. The triangles kind of look like snowflakes, right?

It's actually REALLY warm right now and oftentimes, a bit rainy. I'm actually hoping the snow will come soon.

Is it snowing where you are yet?

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Quo Contouring Craze Deluxe Contour Kit // Holiday 2015

November 16, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Too Faced Le Grand Palais // Holiday 2015

≪ Previous: #MANIMONDAY: Winter Vibes // Holiday 2015

Yes, contouring is still a thing. For the holiday season, there's a new contouring kit in town - the Quo Contouring Craze Deluxe Contour Kit ($30).

It ain't a holiday product unless the packaging is pretty. The gold and black is festive yet appropriate for all year round. The brushes - one angled and one tapered, are both acceptable for the purposes of contouring and highlighting but nothing compared to the likes of brushes from Real Techniques or Ecotools.

The Quo Contouring Craze Deluxe Contour Kit comes with three powders - a matte cool brown contour, a matte cream-white highlight and a subtly shimmery light beige bronzer. Unfortunately, this product is only available in one colour. If you're light to medium, the set should be suitable for you.

The bronzer and contour are soft and smooth, perhaps somewhat similar, if not slightly less so than the Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit. The contour is what I'd describe as the optimal shadow shade for my face. The bronzer is subtle and adds warmth to the face. The shimmer in the bronzer isn't noticeable when applied. On the other hand, the highlight is chalky and catches onto hair, dry patches, etc - not a fan. Wear time for the contour and bronzer is 6-8 hours depending on the base you wear underneath.

Excuse my scraggly eyebrows and sad looking face. I'm wearing the contour shade in the hollows of my cheeks and the bronzer on the high points of my face.

For only a portion of the price of the Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit, the Quo Contouring Craze Deluxe Contour Kit is the bomb.com. Plus, the packaging has a mirror AND it comes with brushes.

Do you have a favourite budget contour powder?

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Too Faced Le Grand Palais // Holiday 2015

November 17, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: eos Vanilla Bean, Sweet Mint and Pomegranate Raspberry Smooth Sphere Lip Balm Set // Holiday 2015

≪ Previous: Quo Contouring Craze Deluxe Contour Kit // Holiday 2015

And the winner for the most adorable holiday packaging goes to... Too Faced! With a plethora of Paris-themed gift sets, what's not to love? The Too Faced Le Grand Palais ($72, exclusively at Sephora) is the largest of Too Faced's limited edition sets and all the goodies inside make me so excited for the holidays to begin!

Okay, so the huge pink box isn't exactly the most travel-friendly thing but it looks so pretty sitting atop any piece of furniture. Luckily, the slightly more compact eye and face palette can be removed from the box. The cardboard palette is fairly sturdy but does not contain a mirror, which is my only true complaint in regards to the packaging.

Here's what's inside:

Eyeshadows in White Christmas* (matte white-pink), Satin Sheets* (satin champagne pink), Vintage Lace* (matte bone)

Eyeshadows in Delightful (satin baby pink), Moon on Their Wings (glitter champagne gold) , Cobblestone* (matte light brown), City Lights* (matte medium orange-brown), Dreamlight* (satin chocolate brown)

Eyeshadows in String of Lights (glitter silver), Yule Log (deep brown with pink glitter)*, Wish List* (satin warm gold), Arc de Triomphe* (satin pink-purple taupe), Belle Femme* (matte cool brown)

Eyeshadows in Stiletto* (matte black), Eiffel (satin slate grey), Midnight in Paris (glitter dark blue), Champs Elysees (satin purple with pink duochrome), Party Dress* (fuchsia with gold glitter)

The eyeshadows are hit and miss. The mattes are stellar, as are most of the satin and shimmery finish shadows. However, anything with glitter seems to have a ton of fallout and feel slightly thin. The glittery shadows had me feeling like Too Faced should have included its Glitter Shadow Insurance instead of the original one. There's combination of colours seem a bit random but with a good range of mattes, satins and shimmers and glitters, neutrals and colours, there's an endless number of looks you could create. The better shades are denoted with an asterisk "*".

Blushes in Stardust (matte medium warm coral), Skyline (semi-matte light neutral pink), luminizer in Flush (sheeny pale yellow-gold), bronzer in Sun Bunny (frosty orange-toned brown)

The blushes/bronzers are good but not the best I've tried. Stardust and Skyline are pretty with my skin colouring but the texture is not as finely milled as others and wear time (5-6 hours) isn't as impressive as some of Too Faced's regular offerings like the Love Flush Blush (12+ hours). Sun Bunny is as soft as the best satin eyeshadows in the palette. It's much too orange for my bronzer preferences but used sparingly it's quite nice as a warming blush topper!

The luminizer is stunning. Something about the golden sheen of the highlighter makes my skin look SO radiant and can double as an inner corner eyeshadow. I would be very, very happy if Too Faced made a full size version of Flush available.

Deluxe minis - Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Too Faced Melted Liquified Longwear Lipstick in Peony (dusty rose), Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara

The deluxe minis are fabulous add-ons. Having never tried any of the Melted Liquified Longwear Lipsticks, the Better than Sex Mascara and the Shadow Insurance (all Too Faced superstar products), I was happy to try these out on my face. The Melted Lipstick in Peony is a bit light for my medium-yellowy colouring but the formulation is smooth and buttery. The Better than Sex Mascara is as amazing as everyone says it is at building volume but it's not waterproof (I wore it during a really, really emotional movie). Although I seldom use primer, the Too Faced Shadow Insurance was a nice surprise. When shadows look bolder and last longer on my eyes, I'm a happy camper.

Is it worth it? With, 18 eyeshadows, 2 blushes, 1 luminizer, 1 bronzer, and 3 deluxe minis makes this set a hell of a great value ($2.88 per product) and your entire face (other than foundation) can be done with just this set.

The quality of each individual products varies but in general there are many more good ones than bad ones. Even if you are concerned with glitter fallout, it's a great deal and there are many, many other products in the palette for you to love.

What do you think of the Too Faced Le Grand Palais?

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eos Vanilla Bean, Sweet Mint and Pomegranate Raspberry Smooth Sphere Lip Balm Set // Holiday 2015

November 18, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Mary Kay Bath & Body Holiday Collection // Holiday 2015

≪ Previous: Too Faced Le Grand Palais // Holiday 2015

The eos 2015 Holiday Collection ($9.99 at Lowblaws, Walmart and Shopper's Drug Mart) is three fan favourite Smooth Sphere Lip Balms with a festive twist.

The set contains three eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balms in Pomegranate Raspberry, Sweet Mint and Vanilla Bean (limited edition). In addition, there's two sheets of decorative, jewelled applique stickers specially designed for the curved shape of the eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balms.

I especially like that eos chose three very different scents for the Holiday Collection - something fruity (pomegranate raspberry), something warm and sweet (vanilla) and something fresh and sweet (sweet mint).

In terms of the product itself, I have nothing but good things to say about the eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balms, as I've tried many, many "flavours" (see previous reviews here). As you may already know, they're a waxy balm that's not overly slippery, which works great under other lip products. It's formulated with 100% natural and USDA certified organic ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil. Further, the packaging is so darn cute...and with the addition of the applique jewelled stickers you can make your lip balms even cuter!

At first, the thought of bedazzling my lip balms seemed tacky and childish. But it grew on me. There's nothing quite being able to customize your everyday beauty products. The stickers include a good combination of "girly" stickers like stars, diamonds and "xoxo"s, and more refined stickers like simpler silver swirls, chains and dots. You can personalize your eos with your name, make your it ridiculously glam all over or keep it simple with one or two stickers around the indent.

Would you bedazzle your balms?

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Mary Kay Bath & Body Holiday Collection // Holiday 2015

November 19, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: LUSH the Comforter Bubble Bar

≪ Previous: eos Vanilla Bean, Sweet Mint and Pomegranate Raspberry Smooth Sphere Lip Balm Set // Holiday 2015

Mary Kay is always on top of the holiday gift-purchasing grind. This year's limited edition line up includes a Body Gift Set, three Body Lotion/Lip Balm Gift Sets and even some stuff for men!

Mary Kay Body Lotion & Lip Balm Gift Set ($18) in Sugar & Spice, Berry & Cream and Apple & Pear. FYI these are very similar, if not the same as last year's three "Little Gifts Hand Cream and Lip Balm Sets", just with a little more range in fragrances. All of the scent variations are, thankfully, not overbearing or irritating to my eyes. The hand cream is lightweight and fast-absorbing and the lip balm is like a prettily packaged and nicely scented vaseline.

Mary Kay Cream & Sugar Body Gift Set ($30) - Chocolate Cocoa Scrub and Marshmallow Body Whip. Enclosed in this set is the secret to smelling like a dessert. The Scrub has sugar crystals with just the right amount of abrasiveness, while the texture of the Body Whip is just dreamy and a similar consistency to the Body Lotion. The scents are heavier and sweeter than those in the Body Lotion & Lip Balm Gift Sets.

Mary Kay True Original Hair & Body Wash ($20) which pairs with the men's cologne spray. Okay so I haven't used this but I'm going to pass this on to my Dad. I'm sure he'll enjoy it since he already enjoys the Mary Kay True Original Fragrance.

What bath and body gift sets have you got your eye on this holiday season?

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LUSH the Comforter Bubble Bar

November 20, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Week Notes #3

≪ Previous: Mary Kay Bath & Body Holiday Collection // Holiday 2015

No doubt that bubble baths are comforting. What's even more comforting is a bubble bath with "the Comforter"($11.95) bubble bar from LUSH.

The Comforter is, fittingly, a very comforting scent. It's fruity, sweet but not too sweet (from the bergamot and blackcurrant) and a somewhat familiar comfort, even though this was new to me.

At first, the price point seemed daunting. $11.95 for a bath? Fear not... LUSH recommends that you cut up the 200g bubble bar in half for two baths. I'd recommend splitting it into three since the Comforter is super bubbly!

Upon first crumble under running bath water, LUSH the Comforter Bubble Bar creates fluffy bubbles, upon bubbles, upon bubbles. There's silver glitters on the sides of the bubble bar but those don't show up in the tub. The majority bubbles dissipate within about 10 minutes, leaving a lavishly pink-purple bath water.

Overall, the Comforter is a treat on a cold night. But ughhh... writing about bubble baths make me want to fill my tub with warm water and dive into it.

Have you tried the Comforter?

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Week Notes #3

November 21, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: AWKS TALKS: Avalai - the Period Box

≪ Previous: LUSH the Comforter Bubble Bar

Life currently...

I've been doing a lot of baking. Because (1) it helps with stress (2) eating sugary things also helps with stress. My parents visited Waterloo for a weekend and I made Maple + Date Butter Tarts using a recipe from my new favourite food blog recommended by my aunt - Two Red Bowls. The recipe wasn't perfect, as there was only enough dough for 11 tarts (instead of 12) and only enough filling for 10 tarts. Luckily, the pie crust was good enough to eat on its own. Overall, a simple and delicious recipe.

I've also been doing a lot of cooking (because buying food is $$$). I tried bi bim bap and soy-braised tofu dishes, again, from the blog Two Red Bowls, both of which were also quite successful.

I attended Grad Ball, an event to commemorate the graduation of the Accounting and Finance class of 2016. The venue (Whistle Bear Golf Club in Cambridge) was stunning but the food was lacklustre. I compensated for my distaste for the food with an All You Can Eat Sushi double date that weekend. Not to be a Debby downer, but I'm a little bored of seeing all the pics smattered across my facebook newsfeed. The best parts were probably the photobooth, seeing my bae, getting ready, and doing four of my friends' nails.

As per usual, school is ridiculous and I can't wait to get this term over and done with.

What's new with you?

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AWKS TALKS: Avalai - the Period Box

November 22, 2015, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Formula X Bottle Service Set // Holiday 2015

≪ Previous: Week Notes #3

PSA: It's that very, very special time of the month. For those who are too busy (or too lazy) to go to the drugstore and pick up a pack of tampons/pads every once in a while, there's Avalai - a Canadian subscription service designed by women for women. It's a customized box of pads, tampons, gourmet chocolate, tea and other goodies.

An Avalai subscription box retails for anywhere from $39.95 + $3 shipping to $29.95 + $3 shipping per month, depending on if you want to try one month or prepay for 3. Avalai also offers a 3-month, $19.95 subscription for feminine hygiene products only (no extra treats).

I received the November Box for review. Here's what was inside:

U by Kotex Tampons in Super and Regular (~$4)
Pretzel Perfection Twice Baked Pretzel Sticks in Garlic Herb ($3.95)
Jelly Belly Cocktail Classics ($3.99)
Higgins & Burke Tea (Green, Mint, Chamomile) x 6 (~$1)
Cadbury Premium Dark Chocolate (~$2)
Avalai Tampon holder (~?)
O Canada Soapworks Coconut Dream Soap ($5.95)

Another add-on, that's not really "inside" the box - a portion of the profits from each box will be donated to the Canadian Women's Foundation to empower women and girls in Canada to move out of violence and poverty and into confidence.

Is it worth it? No. A box full of treats for ~that special time of the month~ is a very nice thought and I appreciate some of the smaller Canadian brands included in it (Pretzel Perfection, O Canada Soapworks). However, I don't think that Jelly Bellies, Cadbury chocolate or Higgins & Burke tea qualifiy as "gourmet" treats and I'd rather put my $33 somewhere else. I'm not so lazy that I can't go to the drugstore and pick up some tampons. Also, my cravings tend to fluctuate - one day it might be Burger King french fries and another day it might be Ben and Jerry's and I don't think that's something a box can necessarily deliver.

Perhaps if you've got $33 to spare or you'd like to send a gift to a friend, then perhaps Avalai would be a good fit for you!

What do you crave during that time of the month? What are your thoughts on Avalai?

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Formula X Bottle Service Set // Holiday 2015

November 22, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Quo Holiday 2015 Collection + Lips All Around Set // Holiday 2015

≪ Previous: AWKS TALKS: Avalai - the Period Box

It's bottle-ception. The Formula X Bottle Service Set ($36.50 USD, exclusively at Sephora) 10 bottles of polish in a bottle of champagne. The set contains 5 regular line Formula X polishes and 5 new, exclusive and limited edition polishes.

Kudos to Sephora Formula X for the fun party packaging. It's a little huge but it would be a cute/silly prank to make a friend think they're getting a bottle of champagne even though they would be getting a bottle of polishes. he he he... (p.s. both are good gifts).

Regular line: X <3 Rouge, Dark Matter, Thrilling, Intensity, Ignite

Limited edition: Glitz, Luxe, Spike, Uncorked, On the Rocks

X <3 Rouge (candy apple red)

Glitz (champagne gold glitter)

Dark Matter (patent leather black)

Luxe (silvery-white shimmer)

Spike (mink bisque)

Uncorked (metallic gold)

Ignite (smoking red)

Thrilling (cloud grey)

Intensity (powder pink)

On the Rocks (dark metallic chocolate)

I'm so in love with Formula X polishes. Most of the creme shades are opaque in one coat (Thrilling and Intensity are opaque in 2 coats). The glitters are so concentrated that they can be built up to full opacity in a couple coats. The only shade I was if-y about was Uncorked (metallic gold), as I found it to be a little streaky. They're all quite shiny, even without a top coat and last 3-4 days on my nails.

The colours are tame by my standards - neutrals, reds, a black, golds and a silver. It's simple, with a little sparkle yet at the same time it's a good variety of everyday colours. No crazy neons, hexagonal matte glitters or barney purples here.

In the bottle, the colours don't appear to be groundbreaking or different from other colours from other brands but something about the cream shades like Spike (mink bisque) and Intensity (powder pink) are really, really flattering for my colouring. Glitz, Luxe, Spike, Thrilling and Intensity are my faves.

Is it worth it? Full-size (0.4oz) Formula X polishes retail for $10.50 USD. The minis in this set are 0.13oz. (32.5% of a full-size polish), which works out to be $3.41 a bottle and a $34.10 value for the entire set. Looking at purely product, the value isn't really there. However, the packaging is much more extravagant than to your regular, old bottle of polish. Also, if you're looking to try a variety of polishes without committing to a full bottle, the wide selection of polishes definitely holds some value.

Overall, the Formula X polishes are some of the best and the Bottle Service set contains a good variety for the everyday woman. If I hadn't reviewed it, I would want to receive this (fake) bottle of champagne (and nail polish) under the Christmas tree.

Which Formula X polish of the ten is your favourite?

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Quo Holiday 2015 Collection + Lips All Around Set // Holiday 2015

November 23, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Sephora Super Kisses Kiss Me Balms Set // Holiday 2015

≪ Previous: Formula X Bottle Service Set // Holiday 2015

TIS THE SEASON FOR HOLIDAY SETS...and Quo's got 22 things that you should add to your Christmas wishlist.

There's lipgloss and eye sets, contour kits and nail sets galore! There's also six brush sets, some with gorgeous clutches, as well as your typical manicure sets, emery boards and "everything boxes" filled with eyeshadows, lip products and face products. OH and let's not forget the gorgeous Quo Cosmetic Cracker Set ($20), which is an amazing deal for 4 eyeshadows and 4 lip glosses.

I've already reviewed the...

Below is the Quo Lips All Around ($25), a set of 8 mini lip glosses which are exactly the same as last year's Quo Love Lip Set. The colours are slightly different but this year's set includes 2 more colours and costs $5 more. As aforementioned last year, the glosses are lightweight, buildable and non-sticky - all the things I love in a lip gloss.

The holidays are (almost) upon us. First, I have to get through my final exams.

What brand does your favourite gift sets?

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Sephora Super Kisses Kiss Me Balms Set // Holiday 2015

November 24, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix Eyeshadow Palette // Holiday 2015

≪ Previous: Quo Holiday 2015 Collection + Lips All Around Set // Holiday 2015

They're like sphere-shaped lip balms but better because they're coloured! The limited edition Sephora Super Kisses Set ($23, exclusively at Sephora) contains three full-size Sephora Collection Kiss Me Balms.

The regular line of Sephora Collection Kiss Me Balms includes 10 shades. The set includes 2 from the regular line (Cotton Candy& Soda Pop) and an additional shade (Berry Red) which is exclusive to the Super Kisses Set.

Sephora Kiss Me Balms in Cotton Candy, Berry Red, Soda Pop

Cotton Candy (light pink)

Soda Pop (purple)

Berry Red (self-explanatory ;))

I'm sold. These balms are silky smooth with just enough colour to make your lips look gently kissed with colour. They're more pigmented than the Maybelline Baby Lips and about the same as the darker shades of the Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Balms (though not so soft that they'll get smushed). Fear not of Soda Pop (purple) because it's really quite nice on the lips. The colour lasts about 2 hours and wears down evenly, leaving softly hydrated lips.

Since the balms are quite sheer in colour, I'm nonchalant about not having perfectly filled lip lines and don't mind the pointed sphere shape. In fact, I think it's adorable.

Is it worth it? The Sephora Collection Kiss Me Balms are individually sold for $8 each. $8 x 3 = $24, which means that purchasing the set for $23 will save you $1. While a little less than $8 for a lip balm seems daunting, the Kiss Me Balms are not just lip balms. They're like sheer, sheeny lipsticks but cuter.

Are you a fan of the Sephora Kiss Me Balms?

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Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix Eyeshadow Palette // Holiday 2015

November 25, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: LUSH Cranberry Festive Face Mask

≪ Previous: Sephora Super Kisses Kiss Me Balms Set // Holiday 2015

With a rainbow of 17 vivid brights and 7 neutrals, the Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix Eyeshadow Palette is a colour lover's dream.

Kat Von D's eyeshadow palettes are always quite colourful (re: last year's Star Studded Eyeshadow Book for Holiday 2014) but this year's KVD Mi Vida Loca Remix Eyeshadow Palette takes the cake in the full-spectrum-of-colours department.

I've got a few qualms with the packaging. For one, it's huge and the circular layout is a little strange. In some other form of organization, it's possible the 24 shadows could fit into a more compact case. It's also cardboard and has no mirror. On the other hand, it might not matter. This palette could very well be considered a "collector's item" given that it's a limited edition palette and the packaging features an original portrait drawn by Kat Von D herself.

As aforementioned, the palette contains 24 eyeshadows - 7 neutrals in the inner circle and 17 brights in the outer circle. On to the swatches...

Fran (matte deep mustard yellow), Legend (golden yellow), Vinyl (neon green), Misfit (kelly green), Lemmy (satin grass green), Hyperballad (matte sea blue), Synth (matte electric blue), Dark Wave (matte deep navy), Echo (purple glitter)

Muse (matte lilac purple), Anthem (matte purple), Love (satin shimmery rose), Swoon (matte bright fuchsia), Destroyer (matte strawberry), Rewind (satin aubergine), Harpsichord (metallic bronze), Analogue (matte burnt orange)

Skulls (iridescent pearl), Noble (matte nude), Moulder (matte butter yellow), Vox (matte chocolate brown), Strutter (matte taupe), Lyric (white pearl), Black Metal (matte black)

If there's one thing to note about Kat Von D eyeshadows it's that they are consistently spectacular. Mattes, colours, metallics, satins, glitters - you name it. The Kat Von D shadows contained in the Mi Vida Loca Remix Eyeshadow Palette are finely milled, soft to the touch and ultra-pigmented with one exception. I found that the shade Destroyer (matte strawberry) was slightly less dense, less pigmented and harder to pick up on a brush than its counterparts. Many of the shades have a considerable amount of pre-application fall-out but all is forgiven because what palette do you know of that is more colourful than Mi Vida Loca?

Is it worth it? If you have any doubts about the price of the palette, let me do the math for you. $71 for 24 eyeshadows = $2.96 per eyeshadow. Plus, the formulation of the eyeshadows is supreme, making this an awesome gift for the colour makeup lover.

All in all, the quality and colour selection in the Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix Eyeshadow Palette are on point and with a rainbow of eyeshadows, the possibilities are endless.

What do you think of the Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix Eyeshadow Palette? Have you picked up one yet?

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LUSH Cranberry Festive Face Mask

November 26, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: FRAGRANCE: Thierry Mugler Angel Shooting Star Eau De Parfum

≪ Previous: Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix Eyeshadow Palette // Holiday 2015

My skin is a little more disastrous than usual in November. Cue exams, group assignments, and cold, dry weather contrasted with overheated classrooms. The LUSH Cranberry Festive Face Mask ($8.95, in stores only) has been helpful in times of stress.

I watched a LUSH compounder (the lovely peeps who make the product and have stickers of their faces plastered to the back of LUSH products) put together the Cranberry Festive Face Mask concoction back in October. In a nutshell, it's cranberries, tofu, fennel, argan oil and some rose clay mixed together in a gigantic Kitchen Aid mixer.

LUSH says that the Cranberry Festive Face Mask is deep cleansing, softening and nourishing. Indeed, indeed. I'm not so fond of the scent (patchouli, lemongrass, sandalwood) but that's besides the point. I had a big bad cystic feeling zit on the side of my face and wearing the Cranberry Festive Fresh Face mask for about 20 minutes made it feel less painful, calmed down and less bumpy.

It's a clay mask, so it tightens up on the face as it dries. I kind of like that sensation because it makes me feel like the mask is sucking out the nasties from my face. Like any clay mask, it's a tad messy to apply and remove but the messiness is well worth the results.

Overall, a lovely fresh face mask. If you're looking to dip into a new skincare product, you can find the Cranberry Festive Face Mask in LUSH stores!

Have you tried the Cranberry Festive Face Mask?

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FRAGRANCE: Thierry Mugler Angel Shooting Star Eau De Parfum

November 27, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: #MANIMONDAY - Formula X Alchemy II // Holiday 2015

≪ Previous: LUSH Cranberry Festive Face Mask

Thierry Mugler Angel Shooting Star Eau De Parfum is a fragrance with duality. Sweet but also sensual.

Thierry Mugler Angel ($98 for 0.8 oz) was launched in 1992 and one of the best selling perfumes in the past 20 years. For one, Angel is described as a scent that combines childhood-like memories with sensual and passionate notes. Evoking childhood memories but feeling a little sexy? I'm all for it. Secondly, just look at the bottle. It's beautiful. Not to mention, it's totally reusable. I got mine engraved at the EGPR Essentials Lounge 6ix, so when I finish it all off I can keep the bottle and get a refill!

What it's supposed to smell like:

Angel is described as an oriental vanilla gourmand scent. Gourmand in the fragrance sense means synthetic edible notes blended with non-edible notes. In this case, it's fruity notes and sweet dessert notes (vanilla/chocolate/caramel) blended with bergamot, musk and patchouli.

> Top notes - melon, coconut, mandarin orange, cassia, jasmine, bergamot, cotton candy

> Middle notes - honey, apricot, blackberry, plum, orchid, peach, jasmine, lily of the valley, red berries, rose

> Base notes - tonka bean, amber, patchouli, bergamot, musk, vanilla, dark chocolate, caramel

What I smell:

For me, this scent doesn't really evoke any childhood memories. At first spritz, I definitely get the citrusy/sweet fragrances of mandarin orange and cotton candy. Then the warm, musky scents kick in and I find that the sweetness wears away revealing the more "sensual" nature of the fragrance which lasts pretty much all day long.

Overall, I'm on the fence. It's a unique fragrance but I think my problem with this scent is that I'm really into the first sweet, candy-like spritz (like a kid in a candy store... haha). After the initial excitement wears away, I'm left with a more musky/sexy fragrance that I'm not quite as fond of. If Thierry Mugler and co. decided to split up the two faces of this fragrance, I'd be so down to douse myself in its sweetness.

Have you tried Thierry Mugler's Angel?

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#MANIMONDAY - Formula X Alchemy II // Holiday 2015

November 29, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: THEFACESHOP 2015 Beauty Advent Calendar // Holiday 2015 #24DaysOfTHEFACESHOP

≪ Previous: FRAGRANCE: Thierry Mugler Angel Shooting Star Eau De Parfum

Last year, Sephora Formula X released Alchemy - a unique, limited edition, dusty antiqued gold filled with multi-coloured metallic micro-glitter... And the nail polish lovers went wild. This year, Sephora Formula X has put out Alchemy II ($16 exclusively at Sephora) described as a "champagne rose shimmer". It's packed with concentrated micro-glitters that give the polish a shimmering metallic finish.

Alchemy II is magical. The colour is stunning. It's opaque in 1 coat. It dries quickly (less than 15 mins) and it lasts 3-4 days without a top coat. Despite having tons of micro-shimmer, the polish feels smooth on the nail and I don't have to pull my hair out to remove it. Also noteworthy - the lid of the polish is a stunning rose gold.

Ok it's pretty. But it's not totally unique. For a few dollars less, you can get the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Terra Coppa ($11.95), which is a metallic copper with silver micro-glitters. The micro-glitter in Alchemy II is much finer, but unless you're looking at your nails through a magnifying glass. The Revlon Gel Envy Polish in Double Down is also a similar shade but it's more of a solid polish and doesn't contain any of the unique micro-glitters.

Nonetheless, Alchemy II is an stunning polish in a the very impressive Sephora Formula X formulation. So get your hands on it while you can!

Have you tried Sephora Formula X Alchemy I or Alchemy II?

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THEFACESHOP 2015 Beauty Advent Calendar // Holiday 2015 #24DaysOfTHEFACESHOP

November 30, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Too Faced Melted Kisses & Sweet Cheeks // Holiday 2015

≪ Previous: #MANIMONDAY - Formula X Alchemy II // Holiday 2015

24 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS. And what better way to count down then with an advent calendar? I've graduated from Lindt Chocolate advent calendars to a beauty product a day.

THEFACESHOP 2015 Beauty Advent Calendar ($69) is filled with 24 full-size THEFACESHOP products (pssstt... it's a $100+ value). From December 1 to December 24th, I'll be unveiling what's inside. Follow me on Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter (all @stephh_lau) for daily updates with the hashtag #24DaysofTHEFACESHOP. I'll also recap my first impressions and thoughts on the products at the end of the month.

I cannot contain my excitement.

Are you excited for Christmas? Are you doing any advent calendars?

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Too Faced Melted Kisses & Sweet Cheeks // Holiday 2015

December 1, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: The Holiday 2015 Look // #THEFACESHOPHoliday, #DressUpYourLashes & Clearly Contacts

≪ Previous: THEFACESHOP 2015 Beauty Advent Calendar // Holiday 2015 #24DaysOfTHEFACESHOP

One of the best things about the holidays is beauty minis! The Too Faced Melted Kisses & Sweet Cheeks Holiday Gift Set ($45, limited edition) contains three deluxe-size Too Faced Melted Kiss Lipsticks and three coordinating deluxe-size Too Faced Love Flush Long Lasting 16 Hour Blushes.

Melted Kiss Lipsticks: nude, peony, fig

Love Flush Blushes: love hangover, justify my love, your love is king

The boxes in the set are put together nicely so that you can easily split the gifts up into three individual stocking stuffers. There's even little To & Fromlabels on the boxes. The deluxe sizes of the blushes and lipsticks are so tiny and cute that you might even want to gift them to yourself.

Nude, Love Hangover, Peony, Justify My Love, Fig, Your Love is King

Nude(neutral nude)+ Love Hangover (warm peachy pink)

Peony (dusty rose) + Justify My Love (bright cool pink with gold shimmer)

Fig (rosy orchid) + Your Love is King (plumy rose)

The Too Faced Love Flush Blushes (full review... very soon! ) are soft, long-wearing and highly pigmented. The minis are no different from the full sizes - amazing.

The Too Faced Melted Liquid Lipsticks are a unique formula that glides over the lips flawlessly. On application, it's saturated colour with a slight glossy sheen. After a few hours the sheen wears down to more of a stain that lasts about 5 hours on my lips. Peony is the only product of the bunch that doesn't suit me and makes my face look a little dead, while Nude can oftentimes emphasize fine lines. Other than that, all the blushes and the lipsticks in Fig and Nude work well for my colouring and I'd be down to pick up some more Melted Liquid Lipsticks in deeper shades like Berry.

Is it worth it? Yes! The deluxe sizes of the Melted Kiss Lipsticks are 40% (.16oz) of the full size (.4oz) and the Love Flush Blushes are 30% (.07) of the full size (.21oz) for a grand total value of $58.80. It's not the same as the stated $75 value on the Sephora website, but it's still more than $10 in savings.

If you've got commitment issues with beauty products and colours, just want to try something new, or are in a pinch for holiday shopping, the Too Faced Melted Kisses & Sweet Cheeks is the perfect holiday purchase for you!

What do you prefer - full-size or deluxe sample size?

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The Holiday 2015 Look // #THEFACESHOPHoliday, #DressUpYourLashes & Clearly Contacts

December 2, 2015, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Sephora Collection Glitter Happy Brush Set // Holiday 2015

≪ Previous: Too Faced Melted Kisses & Sweet Cheeks // Holiday 2015

This is a triple whammy blog post - a makeup look featuring goodies from THEFACESHOP's makeup line and a pair of falsies from the new Make Up For Ever Lash Show, all topped off with a pair of festive new specs. As the holidays creep closer and closer, there are more and more reasons to put on a fabulous face.

The look consists mostly of makeup from THEFACESHOP. Prior to these products, I had only tested out a cushion foundation and various skincare. For the most part, I was pleasantly surprised...

THEFACESHOP Single Glitter Shadow in GR01 has a creamy texture that reminds me of a slightly stiffer version of the diamond shadows in the MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Shadow Range. Mind you, THEFACESHOP Single Glitter Shadow is only $10, not $24. GR01 is a green grey with a fine silver shimmer that looks different from every angle.

THEFACESHOP Color Proof Eye Liner in 02 Brown has an applicator that is neither felt nor brush. It's a pointy piece of plastic, oddly perfect for creating a sharp winged line. The liner is watery, so you need to wait at least 10 seconds before any rapid blinking or you'll risk transferring the liner into your crease. After it dries, it's pretty much glued to your eyelid until you decide to wash it off.

THEFACESHOP Freshian Volumizing Mascara was a bit of a disappointment. The brush was great for building volume but the formula was too wet to hold up my lashes.

THEFACESHOP Real Gloss Vivid Vibrant in RD01 Red is far from sheer. In one layer, the gloss is fully opaque on my lips. Since it's a gloss, it's a little finicky to work with and I find myself constantly needing to check my teeth for gloss that may have transferred. The gloss wears for 4 hours and then leaves a vibrant red stain.

At a glance, I didn't think that the THEFACESHOP Single Blush in OR01 would show up on my face. It's one of those natural washes of colour that's perfect for wearing with any makeup. The bold red of the gloss kind of washed out the rest of my face but THEFACESHOP Single Blush in OR1 brought my cheeks back to life! The blush feels very finely milled and it's one that I'll be adding to my daily makeup.

The Make Up For Ever Lash Show Lashes in N-202 ($22) are some of the most natural looking falsies I've ever worn. I'll update ya'll in an upcoming and more in-depth review but they're short enough that they don't hit my glasses. Speaking of which...

Kam Dhillon 3076 Chloe Gold Glasses from Clearly.ca

Clearly sent me a brand spankin' new pair of glasses. I've been meaning to branch out from my usual black/brown frames. The gold was a nice (but not too drastic) change of pace and I think they look quite chic. These new glasses are like jewelry for the face and look killer when paired with a warm red lip. The downside - they only look good when I'm wearing eye makeup. If I'm not, my eyes look small and tired. Good thing my winged liner skills need practice because I have a feeling these Kam Dhillon Gold glasses will be pushing my plain black frames to the sidelines.