#GuerlainLover Event Recap

I recently had the pleasure of attending one of Dave Lackie's famous VIP Followers Events and today I'm sharing a quick recap of the event. The #GuerlainLover dinner was held in celebration of the launch of Guerlain's newest lipstick,  Kiss Kiss Matte. This was Dave's first ever VIP follower event with Guerlain and we had not one, but two special guests in attendance!

The dinner was held at the Arcadian Court in a beautiful room modeled after the great palaces of Europe. The room was adorned with fragrant flowers and luxurious Guerlain product displays. We were greeted with a signature cocktail aptly named Kiss Kiss. The drink consisted of Ketel Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, pink grapefruit & lemon juice and it was garnished with a vibrant (and edible) Violet flower. Unfortunately, I arrived a bit late and totally drank my drink before taking a photo.

The room was abuzz with excited conversation, photo taking and lots of hugs! Dave has brought so many of us beauty lovers, bloggers and artists together. Thanks to Dave and these events, many friendships have formed. We all posed for a group photo and I love how it turned out. I'm sitting in the front row with the pink skirt!

📷 Credit : Dave Lackie @davelackie

After our photo we were seated at a large table that ran down the center of the room. Each seat had a Guerlain gift bag (more on that later 😍) and the table setting was very chic. We ate a delicious three course meal prepared by Oliver & Bonaci and drank perfectly paired wine.

During dinner, Sandrine (VP of Guerlain Canada Marketing) spoke with us about her fascinating career in the beauty industry and how she came to be part of the Guerlain family. Sandrine was a student in Shanghai and after having difficulty finding work, decided to move to Europe. While in Paris she scored an interview at Guerlain.  The woman who hired Sandrine did so because she had spent time in Shanghai herself. The best piece of advice Sandrine gave was to be dedicated to what you do. What stuck out in my mind was when she said that you need to be you, because authenticity is what gets you noticed. Another really important topic she touched on was how with success comes failure. You can't be perfect all the time and not everyone will like what you do (especially in the world of beauty). What's important is being yourself and never giving up. Success will come!

During dessert, our second guest of honour spoke with us about his career. Maxime Poulin is Guerlain's International Makeup Artist and one of the nicest people you could ever meet! His approach to makeup is easy to follow and combines both art and functionality. Maxime believes that all women can wear red lipstick (so do I) and he suggests trying it on at home first to build confidence and to become comfortable wearing it.

The beautiful @WhatsupLiz finding her perfect red lipstick

Another fabulous tip he gave was to avoid harsh lip lines and texture (this can 'age' you) by lightly applying lipstick, pushing your lips together and gently blurring the edge.

As I mentioned earlier, all guests received a very generous gift bag with 5 amazing Guerlain products, 3 of which are new. I will be reviewing all of the items we received in a separate post so stay tuned for that!

Thank you so much to Dave Lackie, Cookie Gigan, Beth and the Guerlain Canada team for this incredible opportunity.


If you're not already following Dave on Twitter, I highly recommend you do! He offers daily pro-tips, luxe giveaways and so much more! and don't forget to check out beautytheguide.com for the latest and greatest in beauty!


You can find Guerlain products at Hudson's Bay, Sephora and Beauty Boutique.

RuckPack Energizer Shot's ~ Review

RuckPack is a veteran owned and operated nutrition company whose supplements are manufactured in the United States. RuckPack gives a small percentage of their sales to the Marine Corps - Law Enforcement as well as other charities.

RuckPack Energizer Shot is combat nutrition for everyone. Gym lovers, busy moms, students, soldiers - anyone who needs a boost of energy. They provide instant nutrition and energy without the jitteriness of traditional energy drinks or the crash and burn of caffeine.

RuckPack Energizer Shot's are designed to maximize energy and focus without attacking the central nervous system. They're formulated with Nootropics, Theanine, Citrulline, CoQ10 and naturally sourced Caffeine from Green Tea (in select Energy Shots). They don't contain any Sucrolose or artificial caffeine.

Here's a breakdown of the ingredients and how they can benefit you!

AlphaSize® Alpha-GPC - AlphaSize Alpha-Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline (A-GPC) is a brain nutrient used to combat memory loss, cognitive dysfunctions, and dementia. A-GPC optimizes muscular power output, sharpens agility, and can delay mental fatigue.

Theanine - Caffeine and Theanine are a found together in nature (in green tea) and Theanine supplements can increase alpha brain wave production and lessen the harsh side-effects that caffeine can have on the central nervous system. Theanine is the most common nootropic pairing for cognitive enhancement.

Tyrosine - Tyrosine is an amino acid used to combat depression, attention deficit disorder, stress, Alzheimer's, and Chronic Fatigue syndrome. It is also used to improve alertness following sleep deprivation.

MicroActive® CoQ10 - Coenzyme Q10 (COQ10) is a molecule produced in the body. It serves as a powerful anti-oxidant, protecting the body from the damage of free radicals.

Citrulline Malate - L-Citrulline is used as a sports performance and cardiovascular health supplement. L-Citrulline supplementation results in reduced fatigue and improved endurance while exercising.

I received three different flavours of RuckPack Energizer Shots (Citrus Ambush, Strawberry Assault and Raspberry Grenade). You can drink them chilled or at room temperature. I decided to try them both ways and in my humble opinion, they taste better chilled. I personally wouldn't drink them at room temperature.

At 240 mg, Citrus Ambush has the highest level of caffeine out of the three Energizer Shot's I sampled. The flavour is very citrus-y and refreshing. I noticed an improvement in energy and focus within 10 minutes of consuming it. This feeling lasted a couple of hours and I did experience a bit of jitteriness afterward, but in all fairness I drank a lot of coffee prior to drinking it.

Strawberry Assault contains 120mg of caffeine (half the amount found in Citrus Ambush). I actually like this flavour a lot - it's my favourite of the three I sampled. I found my energy levels rose for a few hours before slowly declining. I didn't have any negative effects after drinking it (no crash and burn).

My least favourite of the three was Raspberry Grenade. I didn't care for the flavour at all. This Energizer Shot doesn't contain any caffeine and it just didn't do much for me. I felt a slight difference in my mood and energy but that feeling lasted for less than half an hour.

RuckPack was kind enough to offer my readers a 20% off discount code! Visit http://www.ruckpack.com and add code BB051  to receive 20% off of your purchase.


*This post was powered by BrandBacker. I received free samples in order to conduct my review

NeoStrata's New Acne Clear Line ~ Review

If you suffer from breakouts, you should check out NeoStrata's new Acne Clear line. Widely available at most major drugstores, this line will help treat active pimples while helping to prevent future breakouts. There are 2 different treatment options and today I'm sharing my thoughts on the system for severe acne.

The first step in any anti-acne routine is cleansing. NeoStata's Acne Clear Clarifying Gel Cleanser (200ml, $24.50 CAD) deep cleanses to wash away bacteria, oil and impurities. It's formulated with 2% salicylic acid to help dry up any active breakouts and unclog your pores to prevent future breakouts.

I love how clean my face feels after using this cleanser! I use it in the evening after oil cleansing and it leaves my face feeling deeply cleansed. A little goes a long way - which means this bottle will last a long time. Since my skin is prone to drying out, I only use this in the evening. If you have oily skin or have lots of breakouts I'd recommend using it twice daily.

The next step is applying NeoStrata's Acne Clear Clarifying Solution (200 ml, $29.50 CAD). Chemical exfoliation is key to treating and preventing acne. This clarifying solution contains both BHA (2% salicylic acid) as well as AHA (10% glycolic acid). In case you're not sure how BHA's and AHA's work here's a quick breakdown as found on NeoStrata's website .

GLYCOLIC ACID

The alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) of choice. Its small molecular size makes it effective in removing the build-up of dead cells on the surface of the skin. Has an ideal pH for better results.

SALICYLIC ACID 

A beta hydroxyl acid that dries and helps clear up acne pimples while reducing the severity of acne pimples, allowing skin to heal.

If you're new to using chemical exfoliants, its best to start slowly to build skin tolerance. Start by applying it at night, every other night, and gradually increase the frequency of applications. If you have severely problematic skin you can use it twice daily. If you have minimal breakouts or just want to prevent them, you can get away with applying it a few times a week. Alternatively, you can use it as a spot treatment. Always wear sunscreen when using AHA and BHA because they make your skin more susceptible to sun damage.

I personally use it every other night and as a spot treatment because my skin tends to dry out fairly quickly. Even though I don't use it daily, the effects are still noticeable - smaller pores and reduced breakouts.

The final step is to apply NeoStrata's Acne Clear Acne Fluid Treatment (50 ml, $29 CAD). It helps to dry out pimples, absorb excess oil and minimize dilated pores. It also moisturizes leaving a shine-free finish, soothes skin and calms redness.

I don't know why, but I was expecting this to have more of a lotion texture seeing how it's the final step in this anti-acne routine. As the name suggests, it is indeed a fluid. Even though it is quite viscous, it feels very hydrating and that feeling lasts. It absorbs quickly and leaves my face looking calm and shine free. I only apply it once a day because my combo skin is prone to drying out when I use too much salicylic acid.

This anti-acne treatment plan has been helping my skin stay clear amidst the stress of moving so it gets a definite thumbs up from me!

You can find NeoStrata's Acne Clear range at most mass drugstores and online at well.ca

*press samples were provided for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own.

Incoming! Dior Rouge Liquid & Double Rouge ~ Review + Swatches

Peter Philips (Creative and Image Director for Dior Makeup) has revamped Dior's Iconic Dior Rouge lipstick in a big huge way and it's everything you've dreamed of and more! Meet Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstain and Dior Double Rouge 😍

"Laced with featherweight pigments that produce intense, vibrant colour that lasts up to 12 hours. Dior's first liquid lipstick is the next generation of liquid lipstick. A combination of wax, moisturizing oils, and setting agents make for a seamless, second-skin finish in one swipe."

Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstain ($43 CAD) is available in 29 shades (3 of which are Sephora exclusives) and three finishes (Rock Matte, Pop Satin and Electric Metal). Each shade boasts high impact colour, staying power and comfort. Optimum pigment dispersion reinforces colour intensity and each finish is formulated as follows:

- Matte effect: 2 to 7% pigments

- Satin effect: 1 to 3% pigments + 4 to 7% iridescence

- Metallic effect: 17 to 20% iridescence

When it comes to luxury packaging, Dior takes the cake. The sleek, navy tube has a vertical window that allows you to quickly view the shade as well as product usage. The wand is comfortable to hold and the doe foot applicator is by far the best I've ever used. There's a bowl shaped reservoir that holds just the right amount of lipstick and the tapered doe foot shape allows for precision lining and filling of the lips.

I have three shades (one from each finish category) and they are all very similar in formulation. They're definitely liquid lipstick, not a lipstain as the name suggests. It's important to note that they don't dry down completely which means that they will transfer. Having said that, they can hold their own when it comes to drinking and light snacking.

375 Spicy Metal is a stunning pink lipstick with a high-shine, metallic finish. It feels light on my lips and wears similar to a satin lipstick. Out of the three finishes I've tried, this one is the most pigmented, opaque and dries down the most (aka less transfer).

427 Delicate Satin is a light, peachy brown lipstick with a beautiful satin finish. It's incredibly comfortable to wear and gives off that 'my lips but better look'. From first application to end of the evening, this lipstick feels (and looks!) great.

424 Hypnotic Matte is a light, beige-brown nude with a pink undertone. It applies evenly, opaque and doesn't crack on my lips. It feels hydrating initially, but after extended wear it starts to feel a bit dry. Having said that, I don't feel the need to bathe in lip balm after wearing it.

Dior's Double Rouge ($43 CAD) is a dual-textured lipstick that has a highly pigmented matte outer ring with a metallic core. The concept is that the matte and metallic lipstick combine upon application to create a subtle ombré effect and an optical illusion of volume. It took up to 16 attempts to find the perfect balance for certain shades and 4 months to adjust the formula and perfect each stick.

Peter Philips created 4 colour families: fun and sophisticated reds, cheerful corals, electric purple pinks, and nudes. It's important to note that Double Rouge will not be available at Sephora.

Double Rouge is enclosed in the traditional Dior bullet packaging which is absolutely gorgeous. I was expecting these lipsticks to have a stark contrast when applied but thankfully they don't - the ombré effect is quite subtle and pretty. If you don't align the matte outer ring with the edges of your lips you won't get the ombré effect. Both of the shades I have feel very luxurious and comfortable on my lips.

429 Coup de Chic has a matte, rosy-nude outer ring with a soft pink mettalic inner core. When applied, the two combine to create a pinkish nude shade with a pearlescent finish. This shade is very light and feminine - I love it!

590 Dressed to Kill has a deep, matte burgundy outer ring with a champagne hued metallic core. When applied, the two combine to create a stunning wine red shade with a satin finish. I did find that when I tried to accentuate the ombré effect my lips looked a bit patchy as you can see in the photo. I had much better results when I forgo trying to ombré and just blended the two shades together.

You can find Dior's Double Rouge at Hudson's Bay, Beauty BOUTIQUE and Nordstrom or online at thebay.com and beautyBOUTIQUE.ca


You can find Dior's Rouge Liquid at Sephora, Hudson's Bay, Beauty BOUTIQUE and Nordstrom. Also available online at thebay.com, beautyBOUTIQUE.ca and sephora.com




*Press samples were generously provided for editorial consideration. 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!

Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow ~ Comex Copper

Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow, older sister of the crowd favourite Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow, is an insanely beautiful foil-finish eyeshadow that will glam up any eye look.

"Create metal eyes that mesmerize with our Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow, a striking cream-to-powder shadow with a multidimensional metallic finish. Inspired by the runway, our one-of-a-kind formula is packed with rock-and-roll sparkle to achieve a variety of effects, from a light wash of shimmer to an opaque metallic finish. It also comes with a mini Stay All Day® Liquid Eye Primer & handy mixing tray... simply prime, combine and shine!" /source/ 

Each Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow ($42) comes in a kit that includes (almost) everything you need to create beautiful foiled eye looks. In the kit you receive 1 shadow, 2 mixing plates and a mini Stay All Day Liquid Eye Primer. The only thing that's missing is a little spatula to remove the shadow from the pan. I usually use my nail or the end of a brush.

To make the shadow useable, simply add a dab of shadow, drop of primer and mix. The consistency depends on the ratio of shadow to primer you use; I find it ends up more liquid-y. As you mix it, you will notice varying sizes of foiled glitter.

I like to apply it with my finger or an angled eye liner brush. I'm sure a sponge tip applicator would work well too. It glides on easily and dries fairly quickly. Sometimes it will crease but it usually doesn't. It wears well and the fallout is minimal and to be expected - it's heavy on the glitter!

Although the price seems steep, the amount of shadow you use is so minimal, it will last quite a long time. I can foresee myself running out of the primer before the shadow.  I suspect that you could use Inglot's Duraline as a mixing medium if needed.

You can find Stila's Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow in-store at Beauty BOUTIQUE and online at beautyBOUTIQUE.ca

Have you tried Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow? Are you a fan of foiled eyeshadow? Let's chat in the comment section below 👇

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