formats

Annabelle Biggy Bronzer – For (Faux) Beach Bunny Status

biggybronze1 Annabelle Biggy Bronzer   For (Faux) Beach Bunny Status

Well, it seems to be that time again. You know, that time where I start slathering myself in bronzing & beautifying lotions and potions in order to make it seem like I spend hours relaxing out by the gorgeous Okanagan Lake? Thats right, the one which I live within walking distance of but never seem to find time to go to? Yeah. That time. 

Whining aside, even if I do somehow find time to relax on the beach, I never do it without sunscreen so faux bronzing and glowing are a must for me – plus, I’m super pale. So, without further a due, I introduce Annabelle Biggy Bronzer – a must for pale skinned girls everywhere who want to fake their way to beach bunny status (as we all rightfully should).

biggybronze2 1024x1006 Annabelle Biggy Bronzer   For (Faux) Beach Bunny Status

Mixed into this massive, oversized palette are contrasting shades of bronze, light tan and gold which all mingle together to create the perfect glowing and natural tan. While this definitely isn’t a contouring type bronzer due to the shimmer, it’s amazing on high points of the face where the sun would naturally hit you, and equally as gorgeous on collarbones, necks and decollates. With the extra large size, you won’t feel bad if you end up using it all over your body – it’s still sure to last all summer long!

biggybronze3 1024x779 Annabelle Biggy Bronzer   For (Faux) Beach Bunny Status

Pair this bronzer with a fun bikini, neon mani, big sunnies and you’re good to “glow”! This is definitely going to be a summer staple for me, even on all those long days I’ll spend at work. Inside. With air conditioning. And no natural light. Sigh.

At least we can all fake a summertime glow and hope we are lucky enough to get some real vitamin D from time to time!

SUMMARY

Annabelle Biggy Bronzer
$11.95 CAD
Shade: Haute Gold (only option)
Available at: Drugstores & Online
Rating: A

formats

Annabelle CC Creams – Better than BB? Or just another letter?

annabllecc Annabelle CC Creams   Better than BB? Or just another letter?

 

 

Hello All! Let me introduce you to new Annabelle CC Colour Control Creams. I know, I thought it too, “CC? What happened to

BB? I was just getting on board with that now we are moving onto a different letter entirely?” Hear me out though, I promise it’s worth it.

As soon as I saw new the creams coming onto the market labelled “CC” and now even “DD” I instantly thought, “NO!”. How could these “CC”, “DD”, “FF”, “PP” creams (Okay, maybe not “PP” that’s getting weird) be any different then the traditional “BB” cream? And why is there a cream called a “BB” cream in the first place?! Needless to say this sparked my researcher side and I lit up google with such questions. Turns out all these letters actually stand for things – traditionally “Blemish Balm” in Korea and Japan then after reaching North America, “Beauty Balm’s” was the coined term. So what are “CC” creams then? Well, let me tell you what I’ve learned.

Annabelle CC Colour Control Cream is not only a step up from a “BB” cream, but it’s also a step in the right direction for a flawless face. Annabelle offers two different finishes in their CC cream which are meant to prime, perfect, control and correct your complexion. First, the Luminous finish gives skin a lit from within glow while camouflaging fine lines and uneven skin tone, and the Natural finish version corrects redness, dullness and provides anti-shine.

 

annabellecc3 1024x725 Annabelle CC Creams   Better than BB? Or just another letter?

 

As you can see in the photo (hopefully), the Luminous version has tiny, bits of “glow” laced throughout (I didn’t want to say shimmer because it isn’t that intense and it definitely doesn’t venture into glitter territory so “glow” seemed the most appropriate word to use here), while the Natural version has a beige toned, colour correcting base that blends flawlessly into any shade skin. Both of them leave you with natural looking, more even and youthful skin – much like a BB cream but with (in my opinion) a better formulation.

 

annabellecc4 1024x716 Annabelle CC Creams   Better than BB? Or just another letter?

 

I’ll let you in on my little trick for a truly flawless base – I mix them together. That way, the “glow” isn’t overpowering and you get the added benefits of the Natural’s colour correction! Both formulas are super lightweight, don’t dry sticky or tacky and leave the perfect canvas to apply concealer or foundation over. Personally, when using these two together I don’t have to wear foundation, just a little bit of concealer on trouble spots and I’m ready to go!

 

annabellecc2 Annabelle CC Creams   Better than BB? Or just another letter?

 

 

Not only are the formulations great but they also come in mess-free, airless pumps! That’s a huge bonus if you ask me and they don’t deliver too much product per pump either. At around $16.95 CAD each, these are a great value and can easily replace some of the pricier versions of illuminating and correcting bases such as Cover FX BritePrep & Le Blanc De Chanel. The formulations are also oil-free, hypoallergenic and great for all skin types.

SUMMARY

Annabelle CC Colour Control Creams
$16.95 Each
Shades: Luminous & Natural
Available at: Drugstores
Rating: A

 

formats

A Little Ray of Sunshine with L’Oreal Colour Caresse Shine Stains

loreallip3 1024x974 A Little Ray of Sunshine with LOreal Colour Caresse Shine Stains

  I love a stain. Well, not on my clothing or carpet, but if it’s on my lips or cheeks, I love it! I work long hours without a lot of “touch up” time, so if I’m going to wear a lip I need it to last and last! I also work in a very dry environment so I need something really moisturizing or else I’m applying lip balm like it’s going out of style. Enter, L’Oreal Colour Caresse Shine Stains. I was lucky enough to be able to test these recently and also offer them in my L’Oreal Spring Giveaway! I figured it would be helpful to review the products I was giving away and assure you they are amazing – and they are!   These L’Oreal Colour Caresse Shine Stains are a lipstick, balm, shine and stain all in one. They come in a variety of different colours and provide the prettiest finish on the lips. Not too glossy, not too matte and totally moist!

loreallip2 1024x915 A Little Ray of Sunshine with LOreal Colour Caresse Shine Stains

The colours I received are perfect for spring! Left is Pink Resistance 183, and right is Lilac Ever After 185. I’m huge on pale or neutral lips in the spring time paired with bright cheeks and clean eyes so these were perfect shade choices for me. Pink Resistance is a clean medium pink and Lilac Ever After is a pinky/plum.

LOreallip1 1024x723 A Little Ray of Sunshine with LOreal Colour Caresse Shine Stains

On my lips is Pink Resistance 183. As you can tell the colours are quite sheer. They have very little opacity to them but I think they look gorgeous. They would be great layered over a lipstick as well. This one provides a true “flush” of colour to your lips that has a ton of staying power. Although the lighter you go, the less noticeable the stain effect will be, the gloss part has major staying power as well to keep that, “just applied” shine. Like I said before, these don’t give you an overly glossy look, just a moist, hydrated lip with little to no noticeable shimmer particles. I also find they are super moisturizing and feel like a balm on the lips, no stickiness here!

I highly recommend these for anyone looking for a sheer, moisturizing and long wearing gloss. They won’t give you the coverage of a lipstick or the durability of a true stain but these are a great little item to have in your makeup kit.

SUMMARY

L’Oreal Colour Caresse Shine Stain
$12.99 (Roughly) CAD
Availability: Drugstores
Rating: A+

formats

Sally Hansen Smooth and Perfect – The Perfect (And Protected) Nude Nail

Sally1 1024x878 Sally Hansen Smooth and Perfect   The Perfect (And Protected) Nude Nail

 

I’m always looking for a perfect “Nude” nail. Something to enhance & brighten my natural nails without looking like polish for those low maintenance kind of days (or weeks). Usually, I don’t stray from certain polish brands (I’m kind of a snob) like Julep, OPI and Essie, but when I spotted this Sally Hansen Smooth and Perfect Nail Polish on sale at Rexall last week, I had to give it a try.

 

One of the most important reasons I picked this polish up is I recently had Gel Nails applied (rookie mistake!) and couldn’t stand them so I filed them off myself. Yep, you heard me right, now just imagine what my nails looked like – splitting, brittle, peeling and sore! So, recently I’ve been applying every nail treatment I have in my arsenal to get these talons back to normal!

 

 

Sally2 1024x768 Sally Hansen Smooth and Perfect   The Perfect (And Protected) Nude Nail

 

 

THE CLAIMS

Sally Hansen Smooth and Perfect not only gives you perfectly smooth and shimmery colour, it also strengthens nails and lets them breath! It’s enhanced with ginseng, camelia oil and lotus to promote stronger, healthier nails. It applies super smoothly and covers ridges and bumps really well. It also lets 20% more oxygen to reach the nail while being chip free for days! These come in 8 very sheer shades, I chose Linen, a really light peachy/pink – almost the exact shade of my nail bed but with a healthy “glow” – aka, shimmer.

 

THE RESULTS

I really like this polish! I love that Sally Hansen Smooth and Perfect has added benefits without the added price tag. There are quite a few “care” products that provide a bit of shimmer & colour but can cost a lot (Essie, OPI and Julep have options). I love that these also come in 8 different shades, not just one. This applied super smoothly, dried quickly and didn’t chip for days! If you’re looking for something subtle to correct ridges, strengthen nails and provide a pretty sheer shimmer but don’t want a high price tag, I would highly recommend these polishes! I’m on my way to pick up a few more today as the price point is great and they are just so pretty (especially for spring)!

 

SUMMARY

Sally Hansen Smooth and Perfect Color + Care Polish
Color: Linen
Price: $3.49-$5.00
Rating: A
Available at: Drugstores

 

 

formats

L’Oreal Spring Giveaway – Featuring NEW Caresse Wet Shine Stains

LorealSpring 1024x895 LOreal Spring Giveaway   Featuring NEW Caresse Wet Shine Stains

 

 

BOOM! Here it is ladies, the bang I was looking to come back with! L’Oreal Canada was generous enough to sponsor an awesome spring giveaway to really get you all into the spring spirit (even if there’s a bit of snow outside)! This giveaway is jam packed full of flirty shades and everyday essentials to have you skipping into the season!

 

Included in this prize pack is:

  • 1 L’Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara in Black
  • 1 L’Oreal Visible Lift Blush
  • 2 L’Oreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stains
  • 2 L’Oreal Colour Riche Quad Eyeshadows
  • 1 L’Oreal Colour Riche Nail Colour

 

I’m so excited to be able to giveaway some of the new Colour Caress Shine Stains! They are perfect for the spring/summer months for a perfect pout that lasts through anything.

This giveaway is open to my Canadian Followers Only (sorry international fans!) and can be entered using the Rafflecopter form below. Please ensure you click “did it” next to each of the options to enter! 18+ Only, or have parental permission.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck Everyone!

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