Faves Friday + A Fail

Today is Monday and I'm a little late with Faves Friday, with good reason! My internet was down (which seems to happen all the damn time) and I had no time to upload Saturday or Sunday. I really wanted to get this up because I have some old, new, and rediscovered faves.

Pretty Ginger & Cypress Mask (review here) mixed with Wedderspoon Manuka Honey - I forgot how amazing this combination works when my skin is freaking out. It's gentle and effective at reducing redness, irritation, and speeding up the healing time of breakouts.

La Bella Figura Modern Radiance Concentrate - If you follow me on Instagram, then you may have already seen that my amazing boyfriend surprised me with this serum. I was worried that it would piss off my skin but, it hasn't! In fact, I've noticed that some of my sun spots and acne scars have significantly faded in the few weeks that I've been using it. For reference, I only use it at night.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Liner in Black Woods - I'm not one for eye liner, but lately I've been loving this one. I smudge it across the top lash line and outer bottom lash line for a semi-smokey, smoldering eye.

*Red Apple Lipstick in Coral Crush - review here - The sun has been shining, the weather has been somewhat warm, and orange lips just seemed like a good idea. Stunning shade!

And for my one fail product...

EO Organic Deodorant in Lavender - Simply put, this doesn't work as a deodorant at all. The scent disappears within minutes. I've even added in some additional essential oils and that didn't help. I do, however, enjoy this as a room, body, and car spray. Even used for those purposes, the scent doesn't last longer than a few minutes.

I'd love to hear what you've been loving this month, let me know or link your post in the comments section :).

*PR SAMPLE.

Faves Friday!

Hello Friday and lovelies! Bet you're surprised that this is actually up on a Friday instead of the usual Saturday or Sunday. Be proud of me! I have a bunch of new things, and a couple old, that I have been loving over the past couple of weeks.

Deep Steep Body Mist in Honeydew Spearmint - I am beyond obsessed with this scent in the Deep Steep range. It's sweet and fresh and delicious. The mist doesn't last very long on the skin/clothes but, I don't mind reapplying and my clients probably appreciate that I don't smell like a fragrance counter. Sea Salt Spray (in the silver bottle) - When I went to Jamaica, I filled up this Aura Cacia bottle with sea water. Since we were going into Winter at the time and beachy hair wasn't all the rage, I kinda just kept it in a drawer. Now that the sun is finally shining and beachy hair is back in style, I've been using it regularly to give my fine, flat hair some texture and volume. Myra Aso 100% Marula Oil - Have I mentioned my love for marula oil yet? It works wonders for my hair. Since my hair is short and fine, I literally use one little drop and work it into my ends after drying/styling. It completely eliminates frizz and leaves my hair smooth, shiny, and glam. Never tried it? Don't worry, I got a special giveaway coming your way. Sante Eyebrow Pencil in No. 2 Brown - When my brows are full and luscious, I use Zuzu, but when they get a little sparse, it just doesn't do the job. I knew I needed something new and after swatching several brow pencils, Sante was the clear winner. It's not a warm brown so it works great for very dark brown/black brows like mine. I freakin love it. Living Libations Neem Enamelizer Toothpaste - I won't lie, this stuff tastes horrible and often times makes me gag a little. Why's it in your faves then Nicole? Because since I've started using it, my teeth are noticeably whiter and less sensitive. *Lyck Lip Butter in Crushed Berries - This lip butter smells, tastes, and feels divine on my lips. It leaves my lips super soft, makes my lipstick look better and last longer, and crushes candy cravings with each lick of my lips.  Hope you all have an amazing Friday :) *PR SAMPLE

Faves Friday!

Hellllooo!! I feel like I should call this series Faves Saturday or Sunday with the way it's been going. Better late than never though, right? ...yeaaaah...let's just get started.

I have been absolutely loving: Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk - review here - I didn't realize how deep my love for this product was, until I began using it again. It works so well at calming and reducing any redness on my face, smells delicious, and is super affordable. *Blissoma Clay Renewal Treatment -  review to come - What a bomb mask! It helps dry up and get rid of acne, reduces redness, exfoliates, and leaves my skin feeling soft and radiant. Corpa Flora Eclat Citrouille - review here - My original review holds true! Whenever I apply this oil at night, I wake up with radiant, even toned, and glowing skin. I'm also obsessed with the mild patchouli scent. Ilia Bang Bang - review here - I've been loving a wearable red lip lately, mainly because Spring is kinda here! Dr. Tung's Toothbrush Sanitizer - When I saw these little gems, I knew they had to be mine. They use natural essential oils like tea tree and thyme to keep the brush germ free. I ordered it from Well.ca and didn't get to choose to the scent, so I ended up with lemon (aka smells like thyme oil). Regardless of scent, it doesn't flavour my toothbrush at all. Overnight Oats (not pictured) - When it comes to sleeping in a few extra minutes or eating breakfast, I choose sleep. That's why I've been obsessed with overnight oats this whole month. You basically take oats, milk of choice, and whatever else you like, mix together and pop in the fridge. In the morning, you can top it off with fresh fruit and eat. SO simple, quick, and perfect for those lazy people...ahem..me. I'll likely have a recipe up at some point in April. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites - recipe here - oh-my-goodness! I made a batch last night actually. This time I left out the baking powder and kept them raw, delicious. Banana Ice Cream - Frozen bananas in a high powered blender with peanut butter and chocolate chips. Drool. Anyone else see my addiction to peanut butter? It's a problem. *PR SAMPLE

Faves Friday!

Of course when I decide to do Faves Friday every two weeks, there's so many products that I want to feature. Here's what I've narrowed it down to.

Sappho Liquid Foundation in Leisha - review here - This is just the best liquid foundation that I've come across. When applied with the beautyblender (that black sponge above), it just provides a beautiful natural finish that covers all of the redness and most of the acne scars on my face.

Pure+Simple Face Colour in Soleil - review here - Peach/orange/coral blushes are not ones I tend to reach for. I find they bring out the redness in my face BUT, I randomly decided to use Soleil and fell in love, hard. It's a beautiful peachy shade that just makes my skin look incredible and glow.

NBW Healing Balm for Burns, Scrapes & Rashes - review to come - NBW is a Canadian brand that we carry at my work. My boss basically forced me to take this home to see if it would help heal the contact dermatitis/eczema/whatever it is that's on my fingers. WOWZA! This stuff has seriously been helping. Within minutes of applying, the redness disappears and the dry patches soften. Between no longer using powdered gloves and this, I swear my fingers have almost completely healed.

That's all! What have you been loving lately? With Spring around the corner, I'm sure you've been feeling extra cheeky with makeup. Shareeee your faves with me below :)

Faves Friday!

Hello lovelies and Happy Valentine's Day! While I don't partake in the fluff of this day, I realize that some of you might and I hope that it's a wonderful a day for you.
Last week I got super busy at work and by the time Monday came, I figured it made the most sense to just wait for today and combine the faves in one post. My skin has been really shitty lately, I've been breaking out and was even getting cystic acne (which isn't the norm for me). I simplified by skin care routine and took to these few items to help clear up my skin.

Aurelia Miracle Cleanser Sample (not pictured) - Mayah, one half of Call it Vanity, was kind enough to send me a sample...after I begged and threatened her. Kidding, I just begged. The cleanser was fantastic and I saw a reduction in redness and spots within two uses!!!! I've since run out and my skin just doesn't look as good. I need it in my life asap. 

*Shamanuti Pumpkin Enzyme Masque (not pictured) - review here - I've been using this mask on my face, neck, and chest to help clear up any break outs. My skin hasn't been nearly as sensitive as it was in January, so I've been able to use it more often. I love that it exfoliates without having to use my hands, as to not spread bacteria around.

Pretty Ginger & Cypress Soothing Mud - review here - I've been mixing this mask with Wedderspoon 100% Raw Manuka Honey and Graydon Face Food Mist for an acne busting treatment every third day. Pretty draws out impurities with clay, manuka softens and aids in killing acne bacteria, and Graydon helps to soothe and heal acne/scars. It's a straight up dream team!  

Lastly, I've been loving this Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Amarone, which is described as a raisin berry. It's definitely a berry and I find it looks a little more purple on my lips than it may seem in the tube. It's just so pretty and easy to wear. It feels like a moisturizing gloss but has the staying power of a stain and the pigmentation of any amazing lip product. I love it so much (even though it's not the most natural). Makes me feel sassy!

What have you been reaching for lately? *PR SAMPLE

#NoBuyJanuary Update + Faves Friday

Can I get a heck yes for the end of #NoBuyJanuary?! Heck yes! I'm so excited that this month is over, not because I'm going on a spending spree or anything but, because I hate feeling like I'm not allowed to do something. I've managed to make quite a dent in my stash, as per my empties, and feel like I still have a long way to go. That is why I plan on continuing the spending ban through February, including PR samples which I have already been turning down. There are a couple of makeup items that may be added to my collection soon though, just saying. All in all, it's been a successful month!
Faves Friday!

Even though this is a weekly faves post, I've been consistently reaching for these two products all month long (daily), and they are..

*PurelyGreat Citrus Cream Deodorant - review here - Since Ms. Pemberley Jones told me to apply a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water to my pits, 20 minutes before applying a baking soda deodorant, I've been reaching for this baby again. The mixture totally works in keeping any irritation from the baking soda at bay, and this deodorant has been keeping me stink free. The one annoying thing about this deodorant is that it has to be stirred before each use. Not that big a deal, but definitely annoying.

Pai Fragonia & Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream - review here - I received this in a swag bag and am so glad that I did. I've been wanting to try it for ages, based on all the rave reviews, but couldn't justify spending $26 CAN on a hand cream. I'm totally in love! It moisturizes amazingly AND still fully absorbs. The packaging is too big to carry in my small bag though, so I've mostly been using it when at home.

I'd love to know what you have been enjoying, as always, so let me know below :)

*PR SAMPLE

#NoBuyJanuary Update + Faves Friday

Friday? So soon? Not that I'm complaining or anything but damn, where are the days going? This week has been an interesting one for two main reasons. 1. I ran out of tamanu oil, sad truth. 2. I discovered that The All Natural Face cream blushes are breaking me out. Well, with daily use they give me little bumps and the odd cystic pimple. I've suspected that since I got them, but recently did an actual experiment. I wore TANF for a week (got bumps and pimples), then nothing at all (cleared up), and W3LL People this week (no bumps or pimples). Could be a weird coincidence, so I'm going to do another experiment.    Anyway, #NoBuyJanuary has been alright. This week I picked up a brand new bottle of Alaffia Scalp Recovery Shampoo, which was featured in last week's faves. When I ran out of that sample, I used the Deep Steep shampoo and my scalp went insane. It's an amazing feeling to have a semi-normal scalp now. Temptation kicked in for items that aren't a necessity right now, like makeup, but I stayed strong! That's it.   Faves Friday time! This week I've been loving...  

W3LL People Multi-Use Colour Stick in #8 Matte Creamy Peony - I got this as a sample from a Fresh Faced order, months and months ago. It is such a gorgeous shade and pairs beautifully with my beloved Pure and Simple Blush in Glow. I'm totally picking up the full size as soon as #NoBuyJanuary is over.   *SBT Soothing Salve for Eczema/Dermatitis - review here - It's been very cold and I've been washing my hands like a champ. Whether I use cold, warm, or hot water with soap or no soap, the eczema on my fingers has been brutal. For the past couple of days, I've been using this salve. I kid you not, the eczema is almost gone. My problem is being consistent with applying it, especially when I'm at work and need to wash my hands in between clients. Either way, I love this stuff.   *SBT Seabuckthorn Seed Oil - review here and here - Since running out of tamanu oil (which had SBT seed and fruit oil mixed in), I've been using this as a spot treatment and mixed with other oils all over my face. I just love it. Definitely an oil I can't be without.    Have you tried any of these products? What have you been reaching for this week? *PR SAMPLES