2016 Makeup + Skincare Favourites!

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great holiday and not too hung over from this past weekend?

I can't believe it's already 2017! Do you guys have your resolutions set up? I don't usually have any because I always break them within the first week anyway. But I'm going to *try*, key word 'try' again this year. What about you guys?

I'll be doing a year end review of my favourite products of 2016. There were a few I found literally during the last 2 months of 2016. There's quite a lot of products so I've broken them down between skincare and makeup.

2016 was when my skincare routine really expanded. I found a lot of great products I want to share with you guys.

Skin18 Masks Galore: Part 1 - Cracare: Snail Repairing Mask, Luke: Hyaluron Essence Mask and Purederm: Grape Yogurt Pack Reviews

 ♫ It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go ♫

Ain't that the truth? Snow everywhere! Also, exactly 7 days left until Christmas! Is everyone done all of their shopping? I still have a few things to pick up. I'll be spending this Friday mass wrapping all the gifts I bought. I should... I have enough wrapping paper? Maybe I should buy another roll just in case.

I'm back with another review set courtesy of Skin18.

If you haven't read my 2 part review of the previous masks I received, check them out below:
Part 1
Part 2

Just in case you're not familiar with Skin18, taken from their website:

Our mission here is to bring you products that will make you look forever 18[...] our guarantee is the ensure all products placed in our website is good for your skin

 I've split the posts into 2 parts again and reviewing 3 masks per post.

Today's part 1 masks: Cracare: Snail Repairing Mask 3 step, Luke: Hyaluron Essence Mask and Purederm: Grape Yogurt Pack

Secret Key - Starting Treatment Essence Review

Can you believe it's already December?! I have to say, this year just flew by. Have you started Christmas shopping yet? I have, but there are so many people to shop for!

I'm already trying to figure out what my New Years Resolutions will be. The last time I tried setting resolutions for myself  was when I was still a student. Naturally I always gave up on them within the first couple weeks of the new year/new semester. But this year will be different! (which I'm sure everyone has said that before...)

Anyway, I'm reviewing the Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence today.

I've heard a lot of great thing about the 'first essence' treatments. The most notable one being SK II. Many Korean brands have since come out with their own cheaper alternatives. Missha, Scinic and Secret Key to name a few.

Berrisom - Lip Tint Cleanser Review

Hey everyone!

It is getting pretty darn cold out. Just last week it was fairly warm out but this past week it's been consistently 5-10 degrees. I'm not ready for winter yet! I'll have to bust out my thick moisturizers in another month or so.

Continuing the theme of lip products from last week, I thought I'd review a lip cleanser from Berrisom.

I know, just use a makeup remover. Why do we need a lip cleanser?

Well where's the fun in that? Besides, this also doubles up as a lip scrub.

Skin18 Mask Reviews - Part 1: Mirum Green Tea & SOC Sny-Ake 3D Masks

Heya!

I can't believe it's already August! There are still so many things I haven't done yet!! Why can't it be nice and warm all year? With a slight breeze though because I don't think I could stand 30+ degree weather all year round. I get really grumpy when it's too hot out!

I'm back again. I received a bloggers pack from Skin18 for review purposes. I was sent 3 masks and an eye patch to test out.

I found out about Skin18 through instagram (basically how I've been finding out about anything new and skincare related)

I love how Skin18 focuses on skincare instead of makeup, since that's exactly how I feel.

Taken from their website:

Our mission here is to bring you products that will make you look forever 18[...] our guarantee is the ensure all products placed in our website is good for your skin

I love makeup as much as the next person, but I would rather invest the time in good skincare. Makeup is temporary, but my skin is forever. Besides, who doesn't want to forever look 18?!

All of the brands I had never tried or even heard of before, so I was super excited since I didn't know what to expect.

I've decided to break down this reviews pack into 2 parts, mainly because my reviews are rather lengthy. I didn't want you guys to get too overwhelmed. As usual, I have a summary at the end if you want the cliff notes of my thoughts.

Part 1 reviews are the Mirum Fresh Fruit Great Tea Mask and the  SOC Syn-Ake Firming and Soothing 3D Mask.

Summer Essentials: Part 2 by Joann

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far! It's been pretty good over here.

I've recently changed jobs, so I'm getting settle into my new place of work. During orientation, I had to wear business attire, so I ended up walking home in 30C weather in my suit!! How do people do it everyday? I was sweating buckets by the time I got home!

Since we are smack in the middle of summer, naturally we'll be going out more. Especially with those playing Pokemon Go! (The official version hasn't been released in Canada yet! T_T) So it's very important to dress appropriately and make sure your skin is protected too!

Today's post is in collaboration with the lovely Finn from Simple Beauty. Finn is a Beauty Blogger based in Brunei and she has posted part one of our collaboration on her blog. You should definitely check out her post for her choices for summer essentials!

Let's continue with our Summer Essentials part two!

Holika Holika: Limited edition Dodo Cat Lip Tint Bar Review

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

I have a new lip review today! Another bad influence purchase courtesy of Instagram. One of the most impulsive purchases I have made in a while. I saw it on Instagram, went on eBay, bought it and then went to bed. Exactly in that order, haha.

I've actually wanted a Holika Holika lipstick for the longest time. It's just the shades they offer have never appealed to me.

But I love it for the packaging. It is cute and the lipstick is in the shape of a heart! A HEART! That and there are cats on it as well. I need it in my life. 

This is a limited edition collaboration with Audrey Jeanne: Dodo Cat.

Click photo for further information. Credit: Holika Holika

They also have a foam cleanser that is not pictured above. 

I've seen lip tints becoming more popular. A lot of Korean brands have been coming out with their own dupes of the Dior Addict Lip Glow. 

I've wanted to buy a Holika Holika lipstick for a while AND I've wanted to try a dupe of the Dior lip glow. So this is killing two birds with one stone!

Winter Essentials - Tips on Preventing Dry Skin

It's that time of the year again; frigid temperatures, back-breaking snow shoveling, salt-encrusted shoes and epic journeys across mountains snow banks. You guessed it! Winter. And not only do we have to endure all of this, we have to do it with dry, cracked and itchy skin. If you're like me at all, this can be especially frustrating. While my face is incredibly oily, my body on the other hand, especially during the winter is as dry as ever. It's so dry that my skin becomes flakey! My dry skin is at its worst on my hips because my underwear and jeans are constantly rubbing up against me. My boyfriend calls me a monkey because I'm constantly scratching! For years I have been battling dry skin to no avail.

Well fear not! For I have found the answer!



I have finally found the perfect combination of products that have helped make my skin baby smooth.
It is safe to say, that I have kicked dry skin in the butt!
Here are the products that have been working for me.