Beginners Guide To An At Home Gel Manicure Featuring Sensationail's Express Gel Kit ~ Review + Swatches

I love getting a fresh gel manicure done at the salon but I rarely have the time (or the extra cash) to do it. Sure gel polish looks amazing and lasts a long time, but then I have to go back (and spend more money) to have the gel removed. The last time I went, an over zealous employee destroyed my natural nails during the removal process and it left a sour taste in my mouth. I haven't been back to the nail salon since.

I've been painting them with standard polish at home but it's really quite underwhelming. My nails look pretty for a day and then they chip. And chip some more. By the third day I'm removing my polish and throwing my hands up in the air.

Fast forward to now. I was given the opportunity to test out Sensationail's Express Gel kit ($59.99) and I would be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued. A salon quality, gel manicure from the comfort of my own home? In less than 5 minutes? You better believe I jumped on the opportunity!

Sensationail's Express Gel kit comes with everything you need to give yourself a gorgeous gel manicure at home. Included in the kit is an LED lamp, gel colour, manicure stick, buffer stick and instruction sheet. This one-step polish doesn't require a base or a top coat; it truly is an express manicure!

You start your manicure off by shaping your nails and lightly buffing the nail using the included buffer. After you have shaped and buffed you will need to ensure there is no dirt, dust or oil on your fingernails as this will interfere with the curing process. Take a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol and cleanse your nails allowing them to dry before moving on to the next step.

Shake your bottle of Sensationail vigorously and apply a thin coat to your nails, capping the free edge (tip) of your nail. Gel polish is quite thick; be careful not to paint a thick coat as it can cause the gel to shrink. You also want to make sure that you avoid your skin and cuticles. Once your nails are painted you simply place your hand into the lamp to cure for 30 seconds. Repeat with a second coat and voila, you have a gorgeous gel mani!

So is it as easy as it sounds? Yes it is! I did run into a slight issue with the usb plug fitting into the lamp. In order to fit the plug into the lamp, I had to angle it upwards and shimmy it in. I haven't heard anyone else mention this so I think it may just be the particular unit I received opposed to a design flaw.

I've used Sensationail's Express Gel kit twice so far and these are my top tips to ensure you get the best manicure possible:

• Prep your nails; file, shape and lightly buff the shine off of your nails to ensure the best adhesion of the gel to your nails
• Ensure your cuticles are pushed off of your nail; trim them if necessary
• Use 100% pure acetone or rubbing alcohol to clean your nails of oil and dust
• Don't touch your hair or face after cleaning them (this will transfer oil to them)
• Paint very thin coats; Too thick and they will peel (figured out the hard way)
• Take your time! Make sure there is no gel on your skin. It is very hard to remove after curing

And that's it! All that's left is to enjoy your shiny gel manicure. I plan on updating this post to let you all know how long my mani stayed beautiful.

You can find Sensationail at select Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart and Rexall Drug stores.

Have you tried Sensationail gel polishes before? Do you have any tips on maintaining or removing a gel manicure? Let's talk! Share your tips in the comment section below 👇



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

Get Your Glow On From Home With NeoStrata's At Home AHA Peels ~ Review

NeoStrata has released two new AHA peels that deliver maximum results with no recovery time. Formulated with the highest level of glycolic acid available over the counter, these new peels will have your skin looking it's best in no time!

NeoStrata has three AHA Peels. The original Skin Renewal Peel Solution (50ml, $75) is formulated with 20% Hydroxy Acid Exfoliation and contains 10% AHA Glycolic Acid and 10% PHA Gluconolatone. This peel is suitable for all ages and is ideal for dull skin, dilated pores and rough skin texture.

The NEW Brightening Peel Solution (40ml, $78) is formulated with 25% Hydroxy Acid Exfoliation and contains 10% AHA Glycolic Acid, 10% PHA Gluconolatone, 5% Fruit Enzyme (Papaya extract) and 2% Genowhite (a lightening peptide for dark spots and brightening). This peel is suitable for all ages and is ideal for dark spots and uneven skin tone as well as dull skin and dilated.

The NEW Anti-Aging Peel Solution (40ml, $78) is formulated with 25% Hydroxy Acid Exfoliation and contains 10% AHA Glycolic Acid, 10% PHA Gluconolatone, 5% Fruit Enzyme (Papaya extract) and 1.5% Anti-Aging Peptides. This peel is suitable for all ages and is ideal for treating wrinkles, lack of elasticity as well as dull skin and dilated pores.

All three of NeoStrata's Peels come in a sleek glass bottle with two packages of cotton pads and a glass dropper. Application is super easy - shake the bottle, fill the enclosed dropper with the peel solution, moisten one cotton pad and apply the treatment evenly on clean, dry skin. After applying the solution to your face, gently massage your skin for 10-15 seconds and leave it on for 5-15 minutes before rinsing off. Once you rinse the peel solution off you should apply a moisturizer. NeoStrata's Post-procedure Repair Cream (review coming soon!) is recommended, but you could easily use whatever you have at home.

NeoStrata's at home AHA Peels are not only easy to use, they're gentle as well. Given the potency of the product, it's normal to experience a temporary tingling sensation or redness. So far I haven't experienced either of these possible side effects. If you have sensitive skin or are a Glycolic Acid virgin, I would recommend leaving it on for only 5 minutes the first time you use it. It's important to note that Glycolic Acid can increase sun-sensitivity so always make sure to wear sunscreen after a treatment. If possible, do the treatments in the evening.

I decided to start off slowly by using NeoStrata's Skin Renewal Peel Solution since it has a lower concentrate of exfoliating properties. I applied it at night and left it on for 15 minutes, 3x a week. I didn't experience any redness or tingling at all. It's an easy to apply liquid, doesn't have a strong scent and it was easy to rinse off. The best part? The size of my pores were dramatically reduced and my skin felt very hydrated.

After a week of using the Skin Renewal Peel I decided to give NeoStrata's Brightening Peel Solution a try. Unlike the original, this peel has a thicker consistency similar to a gel. It has a slight scent to it which isn't overpowering and it is easy to spread on my face and rinse off. I leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse well. Similar to the original, I noticed a huge reduction in the size of my pores and my face looks even and feels smooth. I'm hoping that with continuous use I will see some brightening of my skin.

I haven't gotten around to using NeoStrata's Anti-Aging Peel Solution yet as I want to give the Brightening Peel a full month to see the full scope of it's capabilities. If it's anything like the other two peels (and I'm sure it is) it will be great!

You can find NeoStrata's Peel Solutions at most major drugstores. To locate a NeoStrata point-of-sale nearest to you, visit https://www.neostrata.ca

Have you used any at home AHA peels? Would you like to? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!



*PR samples were sent to me for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own!

Cliniderm's Skin Repair Balm ~ Review

Cliniderm is a dermatologist recommended brand for a variety of skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), dry skin, impetigo, psoriasis, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, diaper rash and sunburn. Cliniderm products are free of parabens, dyes, perfume, lanolin, formaldehyde and proteins. They're irritant free and suitable for sensitive skin.

Cliniderm recently released their Skin Repair Balm (40ml $19.99), a soothing and repairing balm for dry, irritated skin. Cliniderm claims that results can be seen in as little as 3 days with full results in 28 days. This balm is irritant and fragrance free and is suitable for use on children (over the age of 2).

Skin Repair Balm is formulated with 0.04 allantoin, 2% Defensil Plus and 2% Gatuline Skin Repair Bio to repair and restore skin's appearance while restoring and maintaining the skin's protective barrier.

As someone who suffers from the occasional bout of eczema I'm always on the hunt for products to soothe and quickly heal my skin when a flare up occurs.

I have very sensitive skin around my eyes and I react to a lot of eye creams. Sure enough, I switched eye creams recently and my eyes reacted to it. After a week of applying Polysporin's Eczema Cream with no success I decided to give this a try. Full disclaimer, this product is not recommend for use around the eyes.

After not wearing eye makeup for a week and getting nowhere with the Polysporin, I figured it was worth a try. The eczema patches were in the crease of my eye as well as underneath my lower lash line - far enough away from my eyes so there was no risk of it going directly into my eyes.

I applied a tiny amount (the size of a grain of rice) to my eczema patches before bed. When I woke up they weren't nearly as red and flaky. I continued applying it for three days (twice daily) and it cleared up completely. My eye contour area feels hydrated and looks fresh - obviously I'm quite impressed!

This cream is very hydrating, non-greasy and gets absorbed quickly. There's no scent to it and it's indeed irritant free. I love the fact that it is suitable for children; I don't have to buy a separate product for my girls.

If you have sensitive skin that's prone to irritation I highly recommend you give Cliniderm's Skin Repair Balm a try - you won't be disappointed!

You can find Cliniderm products at most major drugstores and online at www.well.ca


*PR samples were provided to me for editorial consideration, but all opinions are my own!

Getting #PhotoReadySkin With Shiseido's Ibuki Smart Filtering Smoother ~ Review

Shiseido is one of my favourite skincare brands so when I found out that Influenster was sending me the #PhotoReadySkin voxbox complimentary, I was beyond thrilled! This voxbox contains four amazing Shiseido skincare items that are to designed to give you that perfect selfie - without the need for filters!

So here's what I received

• Ibuki Smart Filtering Smoother (full-size)
• Ibuki Quick Fix Mist (deluxe sample)
• Ibuki Beauty Sleeping Mask (single use packet)
• Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate (deluxe sample)

If you're familiar with Shiseido than it comes as no surprise that the Ibuki Smart Filtering Smoother can be worn under as well as on top of makeup. A lot of products in the Ibuki range can be worn on top of makeup which I've always found quite interesting. Naturally, I had to try it out on top of my foundation first!

After applying my foundation, I rubbed a small amount of the smoother on my finger tips and patted it on top. I didn't want to run the risk of smearing my perfectly blended foundation so I sort of patted/pushed it on top. This technique worked very well, my foundation didn't budge at all! I did find that I had to use a fair amount of the Smart Filtering Smoother in order to do my whole face. It sets quickly once it's on and my patting/pushing method meant that I needed to use a bit more than if I were to rub it in. The end result was a matte and smooth finish, with subtle blurring of my pores. 

Shiseido's Smart Filtering Smoother is technically a serum (it's not a primer as the name would suggest) so I decided to use it as part of my skincare routine to see how it performed without the aide of makeup. After applying my regular serum and day cream I used this as a final step. I didn't have to use as much since I was able to run my fingers across my face instead of patting it on. It set quickly and left me with a completely matte look. My face felt and looked smoother and my pores weren't quite as noticeable. This product didn't magically erase them nor did it disguise them; it's more of a subtle blurring. If you're looking for a product to erase your pores, this may not be the product for you. If you want something to help blur the look of your pores than you'll like this Smart Filtering Smoother. 

What I liked the most about Shiseido's Smart Filtering Smoother is that it kept my face matte for a solid 8 hours without drying it out. I tend to get oily in my t-zone fairly quickly and this kept the oil at bay. If you want a product to keep you looking matte while protecting and treating your skin, I highly recommend you give this a try!

Shiseido's Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate is a nifty product that's designed to boost the efficacy of your serums and creams. I've used this product many times and love to include it in my routine. It has a nice, light scent and it absorbs into my skin quickly.

The Ibuki Quick Fix Mist is another great product that I use all the time! It feels so refreshing and it really gives my face an extra boost of hydration. I like to keep a bottle in my fridge; it's even better when it's chilled. The only downside is that it can spray uneven at times which means I have to spray three or four times to cover my entire face. Not a huge deal, but worth noting.

Last but certainly not least is the Ibuki Sleeping Mask. I absolutely love this sleeping mask! It has a gel like texture that feels so nice on my skin. Unlike a lot of sleeping packs/masks this one gets absorbed into the skin (no sticking to your pillow) and it feels very light. I ran out of this awhile ago and haven't repurchased it because I've been panning my skincare. I will certainly be buying this again once I finish my current nighttime cream.

If you love to receive free products in exchange for your honest review, I highly recommend that you join the Influenster community. If you're not a member and would like to join, feel free to use my referral link 😊

*I received these products for free courtesy of @InfluensterCA and @Shiseido but all opinions are my own! #PhotoReadySkin #contest

Have You Heard Of Teeez Cosmetics?

Teeez Cosmetics doesn't do boring. From fun packaging to funky, neo-chic shade choices; Teeez is a brand that sets themselves apart from the competition in both aesthetics and quality.

I stumbled across Teeez Cosmetics a few years ago when I received their Read My Lips lipstick (Roulette Red) in a beauty subscription box. The first thing that caught my eye was the packaging. The sleek white tube with the pastel-hued skull was so different from anything I had ever seen before and it spoke to the teenage punk rocker in me. The quality of the lipstick sealed the deal ~ I was in love with the brand!

Last year I attended the official opening of the Teeez Cosmetics at the Hudson's Bay where I was one of the first to experience their new (and very high-tech) cosmetics counter (read all about it here). If you're located in Canada and haven't experienced the Teeez counter yet, I highly recommend you visit the Hudson's Bay to check it out. You won't regret it!

Today I'm sharing three products from Teeez that I absolutely love. They're a great introduction to the brand and I know you will love them as much as I do! All three products are from the Fashion Vendetta collection which was inspired by catwalk beauty trends. This collection is cruelty-free and vegan (with the exception of the Bulletproof Flexibility Mascara).

Eye shadow has always been a weakness of mine, so naturally I dove right into Teeez Cosmetics To Die For Eyeshadow Quad ($48) first. Each quad contains 4 complimentary, high-pigment eyeshadows that are water-resistant and long-wearing. These skin-smoothing eye shadows can be used dry or wet and are available in 6 shade combinations from neutral to bold. I own two of these beautiful palettes (both neutral) and I'm sharing my favourite one with you today.

Cinnamon Revolution is a neutral quad that contains 4 very easy to wear shades. It contains a matte, nude shade (upper right), a shimmery, nude shade (upper left), a matte, cool toned, brown shade (lower left) and a matte, warmer toned chocolate shade (lower right).

One quick swipe done by finger,with no primer and photographed in natural lighting

The neutral matte shade is perfect as a base and great for those no makeup-makeup looks. The shimmery nude shade has a gorgeous rose-gold hue to it and it looks so pretty worn all over the lids. It also makes for a great inner corner and brow bone highlight. The two brown shades are perfect for adding definition to the crease. I use the deeper shade (bottom right) dry to create a subtle, daytime smokey eye and wet when I want to intensify it for the evening. Teeez's To Die For eyeshadows are easily blendable and when worn with primer, last the whole day. I can attest to their water resistance after trying to wash off these swatches (they did not want to come off ). The two lighter shades are very similar to my skin tone so they didn't swatch well. They show up much better on my eyes (with primer) than they do on my arm.

Whether you prefer a subtle radiance or a glow that can be seen from space; I think we can all agree that highlighters are a makeup essential. Teeez cosmetics Style Addict highlighter ($32) is a radiance boosting cream that can be worn as a hydrating primer or applied to the high points of your face as a highlighter. Style Addict is available in 4 shades that are sure to tickle your fancy!

Body Heat is the most gorgeous pink toned colour and it's absolutely perfect for spring! When blended, it sheers out to give a very subtle radiance. It can be layered for a more intense look (my favourite).

It's important to note that this highlighter is not a glitter bomb. Don't get me wrong; I love me some glitter, but sometimes you just want some shine without the sparkle. Style Addict also plays nice with my foundation. I find a lot of cream highlights/contours cause my foundation to move or separate; I'm happy to say that this stayed where I put it. I tested it on top of Estee Lauder's DW and Too Faced's Born This Way and it looked beautiful. I also applied it (while half asleep and under caffeinated) after I had set my face with powder and it didn't look bad at all. Not great, but not bad.

Last but certainly not least, is Teeez's Material Girl Lipstick ($29). These lipstick bullets are absolutely amazing! There are 10 shades available and although they aren't overly long-wearing, they are incredibly comfortable. I'm taking a break from the oh-so-drying matte liquid lipsticks and it feels good. Besides, when a brand has packaging this amazing, I don't mind having to reapply it. It just means I get to admire it more 😉

I own a few of Teeez's Material Girl Lipsticks, but today I want to share with you my top pick for Spring (and Summer). Nude Varnish is such a fun shade plus I really dig the name. It's not your standard nude at all; it's a peachy/orange shade and it's fabulous.

As far as wear goes, it lasts for about 3 hours before needing a touch-up. It isn't transfer or kiss proof, so you will need to reapply it after any eating, drinking or kissing. Material Girl Lipsticks are incredibly hydrating and they have a beautiful shine finish.

You can find Teeez Cosmetics exclusively at the Hudson's Bay, both in-store and online at www.thebay.com. If you're not located in Canada, you can order directly from Teeez at www.teeezcosmetics.com

Have you tried Teeez Cosmetics? If not, What would you try first? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!

*PR samples were sent to me for editorial consideration but all opinions are my own!

BeatQueen Cosmetics ~ Queen Matte Lips and Vinyl Liquid Lipstick ~ Review + Swatches

BeatQueen Cosmetics is an up and coming cosmetics company that sells quality, paraben-free and cruelty-free makeup at a very affordable price (their lippies are only $12 each!)

"BeatQueen Cosmetics was born to bridge two things that we love with something that we feel very strongly about.

The Beat describes our love for both Makeup and Music.  We all love a good beat, whether is be in the form of a musical tune or a face beat.  We love to see people express themselves with makeup, and find it to be a fun hobby (or job) for all, especially when music is involved!

The Queen speaks to representing and empowering women to think of themselves as royalty.  We believe that all women are beautiful Queens, and we want to do our part to ensure that it is known to the world!" /source/

BeatQueen currently has two lipstick lines available and according to their website, they plan to add more items to their collection. Today I'm going to be reviewing one item from each line; Queen Matte Lipstick and Vinyl Liquid Lipstick.

The Queen Matte line currently has 8 shades available ranging from neutral to bright and bold. I have the shade Vino Noir and it is as delicious as it's name (who doesn't love a good red?)

Vino Noir is a deep cranberry shade that is cool toned and has a matte finish. Not only is it a beautiful shade, but the blue undertone will give the illusion of whiter teeth; perfect for all of us wine drinkers ;)

For a matte it's quite comfortable to wear and I got just over 4 hours of wear before I needed to touch it up. It isn't smudge or transfer proof but it holds it's own fairly well when drinking (not as much when eating). When left to fade, it does so gracefully and leaves a beautiful cranberry stain on my lips.

BeatQueen Cosmetics also has a liquid lipstick line, aptly named Vinyl Liquid Lipstick. This line offers 4 shades and the lipstick itself can be used as a gloss or lipstick. It doesn't dry down and it has a shiny finish. I have the shade Safe Bet and I couldn't think of a better name in relation to the colour. It's a rosy, nude brown that is universally flattering. The shade is stunning and it works with so many looks (hence the name). I found this formula very comfortable but I had some issues with the wear. It bled out a lot, more so when I wasn't wearing foundation. I tried to compensate by using a lip pencil and it helped..a bit. I feel like it needs a barrier, one of those clear lip liner thingies that I've seen and have been meaning to buy. I will continue to tinker with it to see if I can find a way to avoid it from bleeding. Perhaps one of my lovely readers has a tip?

To learn more about BeatQueen Cosmetics or to purchase their products, visit them online at https://www.beatqueencosmetics.com they currently have a 20% off promo code available on their site although I'm not sure when it expires. You can also find them over on Instagram @beatqueencosmetics 

Have you tried any products from BeatQueen? Any tips on preventing lipstick from feathering/bleeding out? I'd love to hear your thoughts and tips below!

Luv Your Skin Company Mineral Makeup ~ Review, Swatches + Look

I was recently approached by an Indie Canadian beauty brand named Luv Your Skin Company to review some of their products and I couldn't resist! I love trying up and coming brands and I love to support Canadian companies. A total win-win situation!

Luv Your Skin Company is a Toronto based company and all their products are made in Canada. They focus on creating effective natural and organic products that are cruelty-free. All of their skincare is made using natural & certified organic ingredients and their makeup is mineral based.

I was sent a lovely box with a wide selection of their mineral makeup and I have to admit I'm pretty impressed with the quality of the products. The outer packaging isn't overly desirable; but as they say, it's what's inside that counts!

As an eye shadow junkie, I just had to try Luv Your Skin Company's Mineral Eye Shadow ($19) first. I was given the shade Naked Shimmer and it's a lovely pale pink shade with a hint of shimmer (glitter). This shade makes a great brow highlight due it's light and shimmery hue. I also like to wear it when I want a no-makeup-makeup look. It brightens up my eyes while looking natural. When paired with my trusty Double Wear eye primer, it lasts almost all day. This shade is so hard to swatch and photograph because it's light and I'm a lovely shade of pale-winter-white right now. It's much more noticeable when worn on my eyes.

One of my beauty goals for this year is to perfect winged eyeliner. I've been wearing makeup for nearly two decades, but somehow still can't do a wing. Honestly just lining my eyes evenly is a challenge. In my quest to find the perfect eyeliner, I stumbled across gel liners. I thought that gel liners would prove more challenging but I've discovered they're not. I was very happy to see that there was one in my beauty box from Luv Your Skin Company. I received the Creme Eye Liner ($19.99) in Brown and I have to say, it's quickly become a favourite. It's the most gorgeous espresso coloured shade and it's absolutely perfect for every eye look I've created with it so far. Now what sets this eyeliner apart from others is how easy it is to work with. It's very creamy and glides so smoothly. It dries quickly (but not so quick that you can't correct any mistakes) and it stays in place - all day! It is waterproof (very waterproof) and can be used to tightline as well as line your lower, inner lash line. I seriously love this eyeliner!

(Heavy finger swatch of Sand Pink on top of primer)

I've gotten back into blush again recently so it was nice to see one in my beauty box. I received a Pressed Mineral Blush ($29.99) in the shade Sand Pink. It's a very soft and delicate shade that would be perfect for spring. Unfortunately, I had some issues with it. When I went to use my Real Techniques Blush Brush on it I had an incredibly hard time picking up the product on the bristles. When I tried my Marc Jacobs Blush brush (it's slightly denser and not overly soft) I was able to get some blush on it. When applied to my face sans foundation, you can see it a bit (likely do to the natural redness on my cheeks) but when worn over top of my foundation, you can't. Sadly this one was a miss for me, but that doesn't mean that it won't work for you!

Luv Your Skin Company also sent me one of their Hydrasheer Lip Colours ($19) in the shade Cherise, which as you can see is a very pretty pink. This shade is so pretty and wears so comfortably on my lips. It can be applied lightly for a sheer hint of colour or layered on for intensity. Personally, I prefer my lipsticks on the bold side so I gave this a few passes on my lips for opaque coverage. I found that this Hydrasheer Lip Colour wore for a few hours before it needed touching up and it faded evenly. I did find it to have a bit of an odd smell to it, not overpowering or intrusive but certainly noticeable. For the colour and comfort, I can certainly live with it.

Last but not least, is the Hydrasheer Lip Gloss ($17). I received the shade Sapphire and no, it's not blue! I don't really get the name but anyways..It's a shimmery pink shade that offers just a hint of colour with a bit of sparkle and shine. It feels like a gloss but not overly sticky. The Hydrasheer Lip Gloss is infused with sunflower and jojoba oils, shea and cocoa butter to nourish your lips all day long. Hydrasheer Lip Gloss does feel very hydrating on and once worn off, the feeling of hydration remains.

I couldn't end my post without showing you all a look I created with all the Luv Your Skin Company products I received! This is a very natural, daytime look that's perfect for spring. The best part? It only took 5 minutes to do!

To learn more about Luv Your Skin Company or to purchase their products, visit them online at https://www.luvyourskincompany.com/

Do you wear mineral makeup? Have you tried anything from Luv Your Skin Company? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

*PR samples were sent to me for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own!