NeoStrata Aqua Youth Filling Anti-Wrinkle Creams ~ First Impressions

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a naturally occuring substance found in our skin. HA has the ability to attract and hold large amounts of moisture, which help to keep our skin hydrated and supple.  At its peak in our youth, it tends to decline as we age. As our HA levels deplete we start to notice slackening of skin, loss of pliability and radiance. Luckily, you can add hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine!

NeoStrata, often on the forefront of drugstore skincare, has recently launched a specific line of products full of hyaluronic acid. Aqua Youth Filling Anti-Wrinkle Creams contain 2x  HA (0.2% to be exact) to fill in wrinkles, crows feet and to provide intense hydration. There are two products in this line; Aqua Youth Filling Anti-Wrinkle Cream and Aqua Youth Filling Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream. Both contain 0.2% HA and claim to provide intense hydration immediately and continuously for up to 48hrs. These creams are suitable for all skin types, but dehydrated types will benefit the most. They're non-comedogenic and non-irritating, so even those with sensitive skin can use them.

Aqua Youth Filling Anti-Wrinkle Cream ($49, 50 ml) is not a new product, rather a reformulated one. I've used the original and liked it, although I didn't find it to be super special. In all fairness, my skin was more combo then, whereas now I'm quite dry and dehydrated. It's probably not going to come as a shock when I say that I can appreciate this cream a lot more today than I did a few years ago. My skin soaks up the HA and feels amazing after. I'm hydrated, I glow and I'm smooth - a win.

I have a love-hate relationship when it comes to eye cream. I've been wearing them since turning 20 and it shows - my eyes look pretty darn good for someone in their 30s! But, my eye area is crazy sensitive and reactive. I have to be careful what I use otherwise I'll end up with eczema. I'm happy to say that NeoStrata's Aqua Youth Filling Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream ($39, 15 ml) passed the sensitivity test!

Usually I'm pretty 'meh' when it comes to fancy applicators on eye creams but I'm digging this one. I like how the cream comes out on one side and on the other there is a metal massaging tool. It actually fits my under eye well and feels really soothing. I don't get nearly as much sleep as I should, and my tired eyes appreciate the cooling sensation. The cream itself is lightweight, fast absorbing and very hydrating. I notice that the few line lines I have plump up and are less noticeable. I would (and likely will) purchase this in the future.

You can find these and other NeoStrata products in-store at Shoppers Drug Mart, online at beautyboutique.ca and well.ca

*press samples were generously provided for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own!

Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Paul & Joe

Keeping with my holiday theme, I thought I'd share two cute products from Paul & Joe that would make perfect stocking stuffers. The packaging is too cute and they're perfectly sized for stockings and purses alike.

"Give the gift of hands of silk this holiday season with the Paul & Joe Silky Hand Cream. Naturally fragrant ingredients in the formula include citrus notes such as lemon, orange, mandarin and ginger, providing a bright and refreshing scent." /source/ 

Paul & Joe Silky Hand Cream ($17, 14g) is housed in a beautiful blue tube that's just so pretty to look at. It has a pleasant scent that isn't too strong and it doesn't linger for long. It feels silky upon applcation and it leaves my hands feeling hydrated.  This cream is perfect for winter!

Paul & Joe Eye Color CS in Caprice Girl 110 ($30) is a limited edition, two-toned neutral eyeshadow duo. It comes in a cute vintage style box with an applicator that's lightweight and portable. These two shadows look stunning together and swatch beautifully, however, they don't apply the same way on the eyes. I had to build them up a lot for them to show up (especially the lighter shade). Once on, they look stunning and wear for the whole day without creasing or fading. Since these shades are quite light, I like to pair them with a bold red lip for a look that wows.

You can find these and other Paul & Joe products online at beautyboutique.ca and in-store at select Shoppers Drug Mart's.

This post features press samples that were generously provided for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own.

Ready. Set. Holidays! Shoppers Drug Mart Holiday Gift Guide

One of my favourite things to do is browse the aisles at Shoppers Drug Mart during the holiday season. I can always find something for everyone on my wishlist (myself included) and even better, the gifts are affordable!

Every year Quo releases a selection of gift sets with varied tastes in mind. From lipstick to brow products and brushes, there's something for every beauty lover!

The Matte Lipstick Bar ($20 CAD) is sure to be a hit with lipstick lovers! You get 8 deluxe-sized samples of liquid lipstick, ranging from nudes to bolds with a matte finish. The lipsticks are pigmented and long wearing, however, they're not transfer proof. They do feel a bit sticky until they dry down, so it's a good idea to blot after application. Alternatively, you can dust your lips with translucent powder.

Quo Beauty On The Go ($35) is perfect for the traveller in your life. This set contains 3 palettes that cover all the basics! You get an eyeshadow palette with 6 neutral shadows in shimmer and matte finishes, a palette with two highlight shades plus a blush, and a lip gloss palette containing 6 pigmented lip glosses ranging from nude to bolder. The only thing missing from this set is applicators. It would have been nice to get a brush for the gloss, but I'm sure we all have tons of those already 😜

The Quo All About Eyes Shadow Palette ($22) contains two matte base shades, 7 mattes and 5 shimmery shades. This palette is great for day-to-day looks as well as smokey eyes. This palette pairs very well with a nice bold lip. I recommend pairing it with the red liquid lipstick from the Matte Lipstick Bar for a classic Christmas look.

Contouring isn't going anywhere, so why not gift someone a chiseled complexion this year. The Quo Face Sculpting Palette ($22) has 3 highlighting shades and 3 sculpting shades in a mix of warm and cool tones. The powders are creamy, pigmented and blendable. I personally find it hard to get a contour palette that isn't too dark for my fair complexion, so I'm happy to see that this one is quite light. I'm also glad that it's a completely matte palette. If you're fair to light skinned, you're seriously going to loooove this palette!

Another fabulous stocking stuffer is the Quo Brow Essentials Kit ($10). It contains a dual ended pencil to shape and fill in sparse brows, a highlighting pencil and a brow gel. I am absolutely, positively, smitten with this set! The pencils are sooo creamy, pigmented and they blend so well! The shades are perfect in every way possible and look really natural (well the Brow pencil does lol). I'm seriously considering clearing out the stock at my local SDM 💸

Quo by ORLY Breathable 12 Days Of Colorful Healthy Nails Advent Calendar ($40) is a must-have for any beauty lover. This grown-up version of an advent calendar features 11 polishes and 1 treatment product. This is my first beauty advent calendar, and I want to savour it. Which means no spoilers! If you want to see what's inside, be sure to keep an eye on my insta stories in December 😉

If you're looking for a stocking stuffer, you should check out Quo by ORLY Marvelous Minis ($16). You get 4 colours that compliment each other beautifully. When you do the math, it works out to cost only $4 per polish which is a great deal. Fairy Godmother is such a gorgeous shade and I seriously can't get enough!

Last, but certainly not least, is the Quo Lip Gloss Ornament ($5). This cute little lip gloss comes housed in a small box that you can hang off of your tree (or put in a stocking). I'm seriously considering decorating my tree with makeup and this would be a great start 😉

Quo has 30 limited edition holiday items this year, so you're sure to find something to appease the makeup lover in your life. And don't forget, Shoppers carries all sorts of products ranging from food to electronics. You might just be surprised at how much of your holiday shopping you can get done there.

Have you picked up anything from Quo's Holiday Collection? Which items tickle your fancy? Lets chat in the comment section below 👇



*Press samples were generously provided for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own.

Paul & Joe Holiday 2017

Cat lovers rejoice, Paul & Joe Beauté have released their holiday beauty collection and it's purrfect!

This super adorable set comes with a feline print makeup bag, a lipstick embossed with a red cat,  liquid eyeshadow and blusher. Before I get into my reviews, behold the beauty that is the Paul & Joe Holiday Lipstick 😍

 The Paul & Joe Lipstick Limited 003 comes complete with a red cardboard tube with feline print and a clear, shimmery lipstick, with a red cat face inside of it. Apparently the face will stay if you use the lipstick, but it's too pretty for me to test it. This lipstick is going straight into my collection vault!

The neat thing about Paul & Joe lipstick is that you purchase your tube and then the lipstick separately. This allows you to customize your lipstick however you like. Should you decide to use this holiday lipstick, you can keep the LE tube and buy another lipstick to put inside of it!

Paul & Joe Shimmering Blush 001 is a stunning coral shade that adds natural flush and radiance. It's sheer but pigmented and applies like a dream. It's housed in a small compact and the blush is embossed with a floral design. This blush is a real winner!

Paul & Joe Eye Gloss 001 is a shimmery, golden eyeshadow that comes housed in a clear tube with a doe foot applicator. The packaging is quite luxurious and I love it's compact nature. It's easy to apply, but takes awhile to dry down and will settle into your crease. I use a bit of translucent powder to minimize creasing and it helps. If you try to blend it, it will lose its base pigment leaving you with just glitter. All in all, I like it but I don't love it.

This holiday set is just too cute to pass up. So if you see it, grab it before it disapears!

You can find this and other Paul & Joe products online at beautyboutique.ca and in-store at select Shoppers Drug Mart's.


*Press samples were generously provided for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own!

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Face Lotion ~ Review

One of the hardest areas to (self) tan is my face. The majority of products are meant for body only and those that I've used on my face in the past have led to some pretty unreliable results or serious breakouts. Since I've had such luck with St. Tropez body products (review here and here), I thought I should give their facial products a try too!

"For the most iconic, natural, and healthy-looking tan, this lightweight, classic face lotion hydrates without blocking pores for a radiant golden glow. It’s streak-free, easy to apply, quick-drying, and non-sticky. The non-greasy formula creates a soft, smooth finish that’s perfect as a makeup base. Plus, it has no self tan smell, yet features a new mood-boosting fragrance. " /source/

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Face Lotion (50ml, $39) is formulated without parabens, sulfates or phthalates. It's tinted to ensure an easy application and it doesn't smell like DHA. It can be worn alone or under makeup as a base.

I decided to apply it before bedtime to give it some time to work it's magic. It was very easy to apply thanks to the colour guide and it dried to a satin-matte finish very quickly. When I woke up my face had a radiant glow with a hint of colour. Unfortunately, my face was still at least 3 shades lighter than my body. I decided to apply it again.

The second application gave me a bit more colour but that quickly disappeared in the evening when I washed my face. I applied it a third time, went to bed and woke up to the slightest hint of colour. Not wanting to throw in the towel just yet, I decided to get creative.

Since I was having such great results with St. Tropez's Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse (review here) , I figured why not mix that into the facial lotion? I added one dollop of mousse to the lotion, mixed and applied it to my face. I immediately noticed a difference! My face appeared much darker right after application and when I awoke in the morning, my face appeared much more tan.

The tan on my face doesn't last nearly as long as my body due to daily exfoliation, face masks and oil cleansing. In order to keep my glow, I have to apply St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Face Lotion daily and every few days add in some of the Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse.

In my humble opinion, this facial lotion is better geared towards those who like a subtle tan or those looking to prolong their tan. If you want to look like you've spent a few weeks in the tropics, then it's not for you.



You can find St. Tropez products You can find St Tropez at Shoppers Drug Mart & beautyBOUTIQUE.ca, Murale, London Drugs & londondrugs.com, Hudson's Bay & thebay.com, Uniprix and Nordstrom



*This post features press samples sent to me for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own!

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse

Summer might be coming to an end, but I'm not ready to say bye to my tan just yet. Even though I've been religiously applying sunscreen, I still managed to get a tan and I plan on keeping it!

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse (120ml, $54) is a lightweight, easy-to-apply at home tanning mousse that self-adjusts to create a custom tan. It's formulated without parabens, sulfates and phtalates.

"For an iconic, natural, and healthy-looking tan, this newly formulated, lightweight classic mousse tailors to your individual skin tone, for that longest-lasting tan in one application. It’s streak-free, easy to apply, quick-drying, non-sticky with no transfer, and ultra-hydrating. Plus, it has no self tan smell, yet features a new mood-boosting fragrance. " /source/ 

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse is tinted to ensure even application. Although It doesn't smell like DHA when first applied, it's slightly noticeable a few hours after application.

I found it very easy to apply with a tanning mitt and my results were definitely streak-free.  I found that two full compressions of the pump was enough to cover each area of my body (2 for my calves, 2 per thigh, etc). It dries quickly so I was able to dress almost immediately after application.

You're not supposed to get wet for at least 4-8 hours after application so I applied it before bedtime. I found that one application gave me a light, natural looking tan but I'm all about being extra (and really bronzed!) so I decided to apply it again. 

After rinsing my body with water only, I applied a second coat staying away from problem areas (ankles, knees, wrists and elbows). I left it on the whole day and night. When I woke up I was much darker! My upper body was super dark due to the fact that I already had a natural tan. My legs weren't quite as dark as my upper body, so I went ahead and redid them. Although they don't completely match my upper torso, they're close enough!

I've had my tan on for just over a week and it still looks amazing! To help prolong it, I gently exfoliate every few days and moisturize with St. Tropez Gradual Tan Classic Everyday Body Lotion (review on that here).

Tomorrow I'll be sharing how I tan my face with St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Face Lotion so stay tuned for that!

You can find St. Tropez products You can find St Tropez at Shoppers Drug Mart & beautyBOUTIQUE.ca, Murale, London Drugs & londondrugs.com, Hudson's Bay & thebay.com, Uniprix and Nordstrom



*This post features press samples sent to me for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own!

Nip + Fab Kale Fix Skincare

Nip + Fab is a results-driven beauty brand that offers targeted solutions to a variety of skin concerns. Sister company to Rodial Skincare and Nip + Man, this innovative company is known for their use of cutting-edge ingredients and affordability. 

"Kale Fix Skincare is a gentle and nourishing range packed with superfood ingredients kale

and watercress to reinvigorate the skin with vitamins to protect against

free radical damage and soften and hydrate dry skin." /source/ 

I've been testing out three products from this range and I'm quite happy with them! The first product I tried was the Kale Fix Moisturizer.

"Daily moisturiser to help soften and comfort dry skin. A superfood powerhouse complex of kale, watercress and almond oil enrich skin with deep vitamin nourishment and protects against external aggressions that can cause dry skin. Concentrated aloe vera and shea butter help to further sooth and improve skin texture, providing long-lasting hydration." /source/ 

Nip + Fab Kale Fix Moisturizer ($25.95) comes in an opaque container with a pump and I love that! Skincare needs to be shielded from heat, sun and air in order to remain effective. This moisturizer has a fresh scent to it that is quite different from the traditional perfume scent found in skincare. A little goes a long way - one compression of the pump dispenses enough moisturizer for my face and neck. The texture is quite interesting; it's thick, but easily spreadable. It absorbs quickly and leaves my face soft, hydrated and matte (for the whole day).

Masks are a regular part of my routine and I love to use clay masks to draw out impurities. Having said that, they can be drying so I try to use them only twice a week (less in the cooler months). Nip + Fab Kale Fix Clay Mask offers the same benefits of a traditional clay mask but with the added benefits of hydration and softening.

"A super-charged nourishing clay face mask enriched with minerals and witch hazel, works to draw away impurities without drying the skin. The addition of an advanced moisture complex helps to restore the skin’s natural barrier function & regulate water loss to increase hydration for the skin to leave it feeling touchably soft with a fresh glow." /source/

Nip + Fab Kale Fix Clay Mask ($15.95) comes in a tube, and much like the moisturizer from the same range, has a refreshing scent that mingles with the traditional scent of clay. It's thick but easily spreadable and dries down in a few minutes. After rinsing my face I see a noticeable difference in the size of my pores and my skin feels super soft and smooth. I have been using this mask 3x a week in the evenings and it hasn't dried me out at all. This mask is really good and would be suitable for those with dry, combo or oily skin types.

Makeup is an everyday part of my life and I'm constantly reaching for long-wearing and waterproof options. These products can be a challenge to remove (especially eye makeup) and finding a gentle, yet effective remover is a huge challenge. Nip + Fab Kale Fix Make-Up Removing Pads are my new go to for removing stubborn eye makeup.

"Gently cleanse and soften dry skin with these ultra-moisturising cleansing pads. Gentle enough to use around the eyes, these facial pads are enriched with superfood ingredients kale and watercress extracts to remove daily dirt and makeup whilst reinvigorating the skin with vitamins A,C and K to protect against free radical damage and retaining skin softness and elasticity. A dual function moisturising complex ensures skin is deeply comforted and feels touchably soft and smooth." /source/ 

Nip + Fab Kale Fix Make-Up Removing Pads ($15.95) are pre-moistened cotton rounds that come stacked inside a plastic jar. The rounds are on the thin side but they're quite durable. I personally find them too small to use on my face but they're just the right size for my eyes!

I take the pad and hold it against my closed eye for a few seconds before I gently wipe them outwards. One pad is usually enough for both eyes (unless I'm wearing a smokey eye) and minimal effort is required to remove my makeup. These pads are incredibly gentle; I've used them to remove waterproof gel-liner from inside my waterline and there was no stinging at all. Nothing. I am so impressed with these pads and can't recommend them enough!

You can find these and other Nip + Fab products at Shoppers Drug Mart nationwide.

*Press samples were provided for editorial consideration, but all opinions are my own!