Boost the heat in your home this winter | Nikko Lighting Ceramic Heater Review

Winter is on its way (sigh) and with it the need to stay warm.  Unfortunately for us our house is poorly insulated and the furnace just can't keep up.  To stay extra cozy we rely on portable heaters to boost the warmth in our home.  We have tried many different brands and have had many fails.  Too slow to heat up,  cords that get hot,  the list is endless.  Recently we were given the chance to review a heater by Nikko Lighting and I have to say I'm impressed!

Features and details of the Nikko Heater

• PASSED THE STRICT UL SAFETY TEST
• 1500 Watt Ceramic Heater / 5200 BTU / Heat Output Up to 120F Degree
• Three heat settings Low, Med, High 
• 1X Fan Speed
• Power Protection Light
• Automatic Thermostat
• 52 DBA Motor
• Ceramic elements,  no need to fuss with changing bulbs

So how does it stack up?  Read on and find out!

On a particularly cold night last week I decided to put this heater to the test.  I plugged it in,  cranked it to high and went to brush my teeth.  When I returned a few minutes later the room was quite warm.

I then decided to touch various parts to see if they were hot (dangerous I know) and all that was hot was the front. The cord,  sides and back were all safe to handle.  This is a huge plus and makes me feel safe using it.

When I attempted to pick it up by the handle located on the back it shut off until it was safely grounded.  For safety reasons you should never move it while it is on (nor should it be placed on tables).  Having said that,  its good to know that if it were to be knocked over it will shut off.

The little knob inside the circle (bottom right) is the tip over switch

It isn't overly loud however it does cause a bit of vibration on the floor.  Definitely not a deal breaker and something to be expected.

This heater is exactly what I needed and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs/wants to warm up their home or office.

To learn more or to purchase your own Nikko Lighting heater click here

*Product was sent to me free for testing/reviewing purposes.  As always,  my review is genuine.

November's Topbox

My monthly topbox arrived today (yay!) and I'd love to show you all what I got!  This month I received the regular topbox which is what I wanted.  For those of you who don't know how topbox works let me explain.

Topbox is a monthly beauty subscription service.  For $12 a month plus tax you receive 4 deluxe samples (sometimes full size products) delivered to your house. There is no shipping charge and in Ontario it comes to $13.56 with tax.  You are billed monthly and the box ships on the 15th.  You can fill out a beauty profile and they try to send samples catered to your needs,  likes and wants so it's a good idea to answer the questions honestly.  At the end of the month they email out a 'wish list' where they will ask you questions (ie is acne a concern for you?) and give you the option to swap the regular topBox for a privé box.  Privé boxes are typically brand specific or themed and you are told what is in them. You can wish for one,  all or none of the privé boxes.  There is no guarantee you will get what you wish for so it's still a surprise!  I typically go for the regular box,  I like to be completely surprised ;)

So this is what I received this month

• Benefit's Air Patrol 1.5ml
• Nova Scotia Fishermen Lip Balm 9.9g (full size!)
• Revlon Proffesional Style Masters Modular Hair Spray 500ml
• THEFACESHOP Character Mask 

I am very excited to try Benefits Air Patrol!  I really like the idea of an eye primer that not only primes but protects the delicate eye area. It also has an SPF of 20 which is great!

I have been using the lip balm from Nova Scotia Fishermen and I am in love!  My lips feel great and the sea salt and caramel flavour is delightful!

One can never have to much hairspray and I have yet to use this particular Revlon one.  I am looking forward to using it tomorrow. 

Lastly,  the sheet mask from the FACESHOP. To be honest,  I hate sheet masks.  They don't fit well and are such a nuisance.  Call me old fashioned but I prefer the regular tube/tub style masks.  Having said that,  this mask is cute.  I like the character idea and I'm really hoping that the mask itself has a picture on it. I'm not going to lie,  I'm intrigued.  I plan on using it tomorrow and will update you all once I've done so. 

Three out of four hits in this box for me.  Do any of you have a subscription to topbox?  Are you interested in joining?  If you would like to skip the wait list let me know,  I can help you out :)

Click here to visit the topbox website for more information,  to join the waitlist or to purchase any of the limited edition boxes. 

Isa Professional Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron | Review

I have been searching for a flat iron for a while now and as luck would have it I stumbled upon this gem!  My daughter has the most beautiful curls but has been asking to have her hair straightened.  I have straight hair and I'd like to have waves. So instead of buying multiple tools I decided to look for a flat iron.

Flat irons are great for straightening hair but can also be used to create waves and curls.  I put the isa Proffesional 1 Step Victorya Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron to the test and will share my results as well as my thoughts on it.

So here are some features of the Victorya 1 Step Flat Iron

* 100% Solid Tourmaline ceramic plates
* SMART Automatic Temperature adjustment
* Universal Voltage
* Fast and safe straightening, curls, waves
* 360 degree no tangle cord
* Full 2 year warranty

Sounds great right?  Well it is!  Ceramic plates ensure fast,  even heating which means you don't have to go over hair multiple times.  They also glide over the hair without tugging, pulling or breaking hair.  Tourmaline is a negative ion which is added to ceramic to counteract positive ions found in dry or damaged hair.  This helps to give hair a smooth and shiny appearance.  When shopping for a flat iron,  solid tourmaline ceramic plates are a must have.  The fact that the Victorya is 100% solid tourmaline ceramic is a major selling feature.

So how did it work on my daughters hair?  In a word,  great!  I was able to go from this

to this in just under 20 minutes!

I passed over each section twice because, as you can see,  she has very curly hair.  The Victorya straightened her hair with no pulling or tugging and the 360° swivel cord made it very easy to work with.  I used only a dry heat spray (Wella Thermal Image ) and no other products.  Her hair stayed straight all day and only started to re-curl at the ends the next morning.

A word of advice,  this flat iron is very hot near the plates.  Keep hands away from them and protect any surfaces that you may use to rest it on while styling your hair.  An old towel will suffice.  Trust me it's better to be safe than sorry,  I've learned the hard way ;)

Click here to go to ISA's website to learn more about the Victorya,  purchase one or to view the other products this company has to offer.

*I received this product for free.  My review is 100% genuine and as always never influenced by compensation

Herbal Essences Naked Volume Line | Review

As someone who has super fine,  thin hair I'm always on the lookout for products to give me the volume I crave.  Recently I was invited to try Herbal Essences Naked Volume line.  Not only does it claim to give you voluptuous hair, but do so without parabans,  silicones and colorants.  I tested the whole line,  shampoo,  conditioner and volume soufflé (a mousse).

First up,  the shampoo.  Like all Herbal Essences products,  it smells fantastic.  It has a wonderful mint scent to it that I just love.  It really awakens the senses and helps uplift my mood.  It lathers well and leaves my hair feeling clean.  It is similar to a clarifying shampoo,  which is good, but I feel like this isn't a shampoo I would like to use daily (yes I wash my hair daily,  it's short and looks blah otherwise).

Next up,  the conditioner.  Yes it smells heavenly but I feel like it doesn't condition enough.  I use nearly twice as much as I normally would. It doesn't weigh my hair down much though so I give it points for that.

Finally,  the volumizing soufflé.  Honestly,  I don't like it.  It smells great but really lacks in every other way.  I didn't get any lift from it whatsoever, if anything it weighed my hair down.  It also did nothing to create or hold my style.  Literally nothing.  I will not be purchasing this in the future.

All in all,  the shampoo and conditioner are decent.  I would consider buying them in the future however they wouldn't be my first choice.

*I received these products free for testing purposes.  As always,  my review is genuine.

Argan Oil, A Must Have! | UNi 100% Pure Argan Oil | Review

Argan Oil has become one of my must have beauty products. It is so versatile. I use it for my skin, hair and nails. I use it on my split ends and throughout my hair to repair damage from hot tools and hair dye. I use it to hydrate my hands and to prep my cuticles prior to and after manicures. I mix it with my body lotion and recently I've started adding it to my facial routine (more on that later)!

I recently started using a new brand of Argan Oil, UNi's 100% Pure Argan Oil. It is 100% pure triple extra virgin Argan Oil that is USDA certified organic, fragrance free, cold pressed and unroasted. It is sourced from Morroco and packaged in the US.  You can read more about it here.

So what sets this oil apart? For starters its fragrance free. It has a very mild, nutty scent which is natural. No added perfume. It is also lightweight and absorbs into skin quickly unlike many other argan oils which tend to be heavier and oilier. As someone with somewhat sensitive skin and thin hair this lightweight formula is a must have!

So now let me fill you in on a lesser known beauty secret I came across from a fellow blogger. You can add it to your facial foundation! Yes you read that right, you can mix it into your foundation! Not only does it help to hydrate your skin it can help reduce the dreaded 'cake face' appearance of medium-full coverage foundation. Part of the whole 'cake face' look comes from applying too much foundation and not blending however having dry skin can lead to it as well. Dry patches will make foundation stick and look uneven and cakey. A good moisturizer and a few drops of Argan Oil in your foundation will really help, plus the finish is absolutely gorgeous! It doesn't alter the longevity of your makeup and it won't change your finish much either. I have combo skin and doing this has caused no excess oil or breakouts, so don't be scared to try!

If you haven't tried Argan Oil you are missing out! I truly believe that everyone should have a bottle because it's that good. If you're looking for affordable, high quality and lightweight Argan Oil you should try UNi. Visit there website here to learn more and purchase it.

*I received this product free of charge in exchange for my honest review

180 Cosmetics Hyaluronic Acid Serum | Review

I have recently discovered a new serum!  For the past few weeks I have been using 180 Cosmetics Hyaluronic Acid Serum and am quite impressed with it.  It is non-greasy,  non-sticky and works well with my sensitive, combo skin.  It is formulated without formalin, formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, petro-chemicals, GMO, triclosan, fragrance and is cruely free!

Read the claims!

"High-end technology brings you the anti-aging solution that regenerates your skin cells and provides the moisture your skin needs to look and feel young and smooth.

The highest quality of Swiss Hyaluronic acid serum, complemented by natural ingredients and enriched with vitamin C,  brings the elasticity back to your skin, making it look and feel youthful and smooth. Watch this revolutionary serum reverse the signs of agings while protecting your skin from free radicals. 

Why Hyaluronic acid? As we age, our body produces less and less of this important acid, thus affecting how moisture is stored in our skin. With Pure Swiss Hyaluronic Serum, your skin gets the nourishing ingredients it needs to stay radiant and beautiful. In only moments, Pure Swiss Hyaluronic Serum penetrates deep into the skin, nourishing it from the core."

Amazon Product Link

So how does it stack up?  Read on to hear about my experience!

I really like the way it feels on my face.  It is not heavy or greasy like a lot of serums and it is a nice base for facial creams.  I use it in the morning after cleansing before I apply my day cream and at night prior to my night cream.  It is easy to use and a little goes a long way.  The packaging suggests using several drops however 2 is sufficient for my entire face and neck.  It absorbs fairly quickly however as it's drying I do find it to be a bit tacky.  That quickly goes away leaving a smooth finish.  I find my creams absorb better and my makeup applies smoother.

The only complaint I have about this product is that the bottle is fairly small.  I would like to see it increase in size because otherwise I would need to purchase it monthly which is a bit of a hassle.

Other than that I am pleased with this product and recommend it to anyone who wants to add a non-greasy,  cruelty free serum to their skincare regimen!

*I received this product free in exchange for my honest review.  My review is genuine and not influenced by compensation

LaNEIGE Brightening Sparkling Water Foam Cleanser | Review

Korean skincare products have made their way to North America and for good reason, they're great!

I was recently chosen by Influenster to review a product from the LaNEIGE line that Sephora Canada picked up and I couldn't have been happier!

I was given the Brightening Sparkling Water Foam Cleanser and I have been using it for the last few weeks and am ready to share my opinion!  But first let me tell you a bit about it. Here's a blurb from Sephora's website.

"Infused with skin-perfecting sparkling water to minimize clogged pores, this ultra-light, whipped foaming cleanser virtually sweeps impurities away. Five multi-fruit AHA’s instantly exfoliate, brighten, detoxify, and purify. The ultimate cleansing experience for truly radiant skin"

http://m.sephora.com/product/P399792

So let me start off by telling you how different this cleansers texture is.  It is whipped,  very much like shaving foam.  It is contained in an aerosol container and a slight compression on the nozel yields enough foam to wash my entire face.

Another thing that's different about this cleanser is that you apply it to a dry face.  That is something I'm not used to and believe me it makes a huge difference.  The first time I used it I applied it to my face while it was damp and it didn't work very well.  I went back to read the box and read the instructions.  Probably should've done that first..

Once I realized my mistake and corrected it I was quite impressed with the way it left my skin feeling clean and hydrated.  There was no dryness or tightness at all and my face looked radiant.  However,  later that evening when I went to test its makeup removing properties I was less than impressed.  It did nothing for my eye makeup.  I had smudges and black everywhere,  it didn't remove my liner or mascara.  Neither of the two were waterproof either.  In regards to my face makeup it did a fairly decent job of removing it. Needless to say I now remove my makeup first.

All in all this cleanser is good and it has me wanting to try the other products in this line.  If you're looking for a different cleanser for the fall I suggest you give this one a try!

For more info and reviews visit Sephora and
Influenster

*This product was sent to me for free for my consideration however my review is genuine

Urban Decay Naked | Giveaway

A fellow beauty blogger is hosting an uh-mazing giveaway and I would love to share it with you all! Thou Shalt Not Covet has teamed up with Urban Decay to give away not only one but ALL of the Naked Palettes to one lucky winner.  Follow this link to check out her blog and enter this fantastic giveaway!

COVERGIRL's THE SUPER SIZER Mascara | Review

I was recently invited to join BzzAgent's latest campaign for COVERGIRL.  I received THE SUPER SIZER mascara in Very Black.  After using it for about two weeks now I'd love to share my thoughts!

First off let me fill you in on its claims found on COVERGIRL's website (link to site follows the text)

THE SUPER SIZER BY LASHBLAST MASCARA

The Super Sizer by LashBlast Mascara gives you 400% more corner-to-corner volume for full, fanned out lashes. Our amazing Lash Styler transforms even small lashes — just twirl as you apply it to your lashes for an instantly Super Sized lash look. Opthalmologically tested, suitable for those who wear contact lenses.

http://covergirl.com/beauty-products/eye-makeup/mascara/super-sizer-mascara

So now the million dollar question,  does it live up to its claims?!  Short answer, yes it does!  You definitely get lots of volume and length, similar to that of falsies.  Having said that, it does take some practice to perfect the technique.  You need to twirl the wand as you go, starting from the lash line moving up. Here's a link to show you how its done https://youtu.be/vX0Mq5v3bJw

It took me a few days to get the hang of it but once I did I was happy with my new lash look. However,  I was not impressed with the longevity of this mascara.

By midday I noticed it started to flake off,  yuck.  This is not something I particularly like, naturally. It also clumps up if you're not careful and I can see this becoming a bigger issue as the mascara ages a bit.

The mascara does remove easily with eye makeup remover at the end of the day which is nice.  No need to scrub or soak to remove it.

Verdict?  As much as I like the look of this mascara once it's applied I can't get over the flaking. Therefore I don't see myself purchasing it in the future.

*I received this product for free from BzzAgent for testing purposes.  My review is genuine and not influenced by monetary compensation

Have you heard? There's a new review site coming, Reviewsio!

Social media is buzzing about a new review site launching this October.  Reviewsio is launching October 1st and is claiming to offer Amazon products up to 100% off in exchange for honest reviews!  I myself am very interested to see what products are available to review.  I can't seem to find a ton of information about this site but it does sound promising.  Reviewsio is currently accepting applications for reviewers so why not sign up and see what all the hype is about.  Here's a link to get you started

https://reviewsio.com/register?mref=MomLovesMakeup

Let me know if you signed up and check back soon to read my thoughts and review of Reviewsio.

My very first #VoxBox from Inluenster!

I'm excited to announce that I have just received my very first VoxBox from Influenster Canada!  After joining in April and having no luck in VoxBox campaigns I have finally been selected!  I will be testing LaNEIGE'S Brightening Sparkling Water Foam Cleanser.  This product claims to brighten, detoxify and exfoliate skin for clearer, smoother skin.  This cleanser is part of their Ultimate 24-Hour Hydration system which uses advanced water science to help achieve younger,  more radiant looking skin.  I'm hoping to see some great results as this product line has gotten rave reviews.  I will post my review once I have used the product long enough to sufficiently form an opinion so stay tuned!

If you are interested in learning more about this product line visit https://www.influenster.com

If you would like to purchase LaNEIGE visit http://www.sephora.com


*I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes

#ElevateLoungeTO | Review

  This past Sunday I was fortunate enough to attend my very first ChickAdvisor Event!  Elevate Lounge Toronto was hosted by ChickAdvisor, Harbinger as well as some really great sponsors. The event took place at the Harbinger Offices at 200 Wellington Street West on both Saturday and Sunday with hour long appointments from 11AM to 5PM.  During my hour long appointment I received the star treatment!

  When I walked into the building I was greeted by two lovely ladies who scanned my ticket and escorted me to the elevator.  I got off on the 6th floor where I was welcomed by another women who brought me to the reception area where I was offered my choice of Radler's (beer) or a bottle of VOSS (water).  I decided to go with the bottle of VOSS because one can never have too much water plus VOSS was a sponsor and I've never tried their brand.  First impression of VOSS,  wow.  The bottle was sleek,  sexy and made of glass!  It's not very often that you find unflavoured water in glass bottles and I was quite happy to see that!  I was then paired with two other ladies who shared the same timeslot as me and we were whisked off to the first of four iconic suites,  Nexxus!


  In the Nexxus suite we were to have our hair red-carpet styled and I must admit I was nervous.  I have very thin, fine hair that is cut into a short bob.  Not much to work with.  Once I was seated I was introduced to Lyn who was to style my hair.  The theme was curls and waves and she assured me that even short hair like mine can be styled into sexy,  unkempt curls.  She got to work with the curling iron and took strands of hair curling them midway.  There was no real order,  some were curled forward,  some backwards.  She then finished off by lightly spraying my hair with Nexxus' Comb Thru Touchable Hold Finishing Mist which held my new style in place.  Since my hair is so short I was done before the other ladies in my group so I had to wait for them to be finished.  I took the time to snap a few photos and log into my social media accounts.

  The next stop was the treat sampling area which did not disappoint! This is where our food sponsors were set up with all their delectable treats.  My first stop was over to Lipton to get a tea.  I chose a lemon-ginger tea and it was so so good.  Next stop was Gay Lea's Nordica Smooth Cottage Cheese station.  I am a fan of cottage cheese and so I was really looking forward to trying this new, smooth line.  I chose the Vanilla Bean flavour and all I have to say is OMG!  It was absolutely delicious! It was thick,  creamy and rich like a Greek yogurt and had a very sweet, subtle vanilla flavour.  From there I filled up a bag of candy before grabbing a Double Caramel Magnum bar. Before I got a chance to open it we were ushered into the next suite,  Dr. Scholls!

  I was really looking forward to this suite.  We were to get an indulgent foot massage and to my surprise,  a mini pedi too!  My masseuse got to work filing down my callouses and then proceded to massage both my feet and calves.  The massage was nice although the pressure applied could've been increased.  Did I mention I was eating my Magnum bar while having my feet rubbed?!

  The next and final suite we visited was Simple skin care.  When we arrived the last group was still putting their makeup on which ran into our time slot.  Our skincare expert tried her best to cover all the products and their advantages but was unable to do so as our time ran out.  This was unfortunate because I was quite interested in the products.

  After checking out we were handed our swag bags and let me tell you they were awesome! Lots of great products from the sponsors with an estimated value of $120!  I had such a great time at this event and I look forward to attending more ChickAdvisor events in the future!

Event sponsors included:  Nexxus,  Simple,  Dr. Scholls, Lipton, Gay Lea, Excel, Magnum, M&M's, Dove and VOSS

Welcome To Mom Loves Makeup!

Hello and welcome to my blog!  I'm new to this so please bear with me as I get the hang of it.

My purpose of writing this blog is to share my thoughts,  tips and tricks with you all.  I plan on covering topics such as beauty, fashion, parenting and product reviews.  I also intend to host contests and giveaways as my fan base expands.

As a busy mom finding spare time is difficult but I will try to post as much as possible so check back often!

Thank you all for starting this journey with me.  I look forward to interacting with each and every one of you!