Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Best of 2015 || Huge Round-Up of 2015 Favourites + My Top 15 of 2015!

Hi there guys! I hope y'all are doing well, have had an awesome Christmas, whether you celebrate or not, and also a great 2015!

Today I have for you my huge annual favourites round-up, as well as 2 videos you will find at the bottom of this post, featuring my Top 15 of 2015, because I wanted to do my yearly favourites in video form, but couldn't handle how many products I usually cover! So I did the best of both options! Also, it's in two parts because it started as a 22 minute long video... O_O

Last year, I set up my favourites post pretty nicely (check it out here, if you want a look), so I'm following a very similar format, with only a couple added categories! And I'll make sure once again to denote any returning champions with a pair of asterisks (**).

This post, aside from my top15 videos, will just be pictures and a list of my picks, but if there is anything you want a full review of, make sure to let me know! I'd love to hear your requests! I'll also try to link to a post or video, if I have reviewed a product before. Now... Let's begin!

Skincare:

Facewash: (not pictured) Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil

**Toner: Witch Hazel

Moisturizers: (a) Lightweight = Clean & Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Moisturizer (review: Clean & Clear Acne Fighting Routine)
(b) Intense = Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil for Face
(c) Eye Cream = Paula's Choice Resist Anti-Aging Eye Cream

**Makeup Remover: Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

Face Makeup:

**Foundation: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (Essentially the same as new Ultra HD)
Honourable Mention: ELF Acne Fighting Foundation

**Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

Concealer: Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer

**Blush: Benefit Coralista

**Bronzer: Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

**Highlighter: MAC Mineralised Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle

**Setting Spray: Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray

((Click below to read the rest of my favourites. Just so this post doesn't take up a ton of room :P))

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Big Multi-Product REVIEW || Great American Clay

Today I have for you a review of tons from products from Great American Clay. These things were all sent to me for review. Months ago, actually, but PR caused some problems that have since been sorted out with the owner of the company, who was extremely helpful! Also, I cannot for the life of my find the info sheets that came with the products, I'm going off the product packaging and info from the Great American Clay site.

Anyways, as I said, I got a huge box of products when I was expecting maybe a handful of products when I was first contacted, but they were super generous! Here's a look at everything I got, before I jump into introducing you to the brand if you haven't heard of them before:

Great American Clay (which I'm going to now type as GAC) bases their whole product line around Calcium Bentonite clay, which they claim "supports in balancing, cleansing, detoxing and speeding the healing process of the body." They use this clay in all their products, selling all types of products from simple dry and hydrated clay masks, to fancy skincare products for your face. If you want to read more about the company and calcium bentonite clay, you can check out the "Introduction to Great American Clay" page on their website.

Now, shall we get into the products I've recieved? I haven't tested them all out, but I do want to give you a quick rundown of the few that I haven't used anyways, so I'll start there.

("Read More" to see all my pictures and reviews and such! I didn't want to have such a huge, picture-heavy post load for those who don't care!)

Friday, December 25, 2015

REVIEW || Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani Palette

Merry Christmas guys!! Hope everyone is having a great holiday season!!

Don't worry, I'm not writing on Christmas, I got this post prepared on Wednesday! Wanted to make sure it was in with my schedule in case anyone was poking around blogs and such killing time, or if you just don't have any Christmas plans.

Today's video has nothing to do with Christmas at all, actually! Here's my review of the Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani palette! If you've been following for a little while, you'll've seen all my Gwen Stefani palette tutorials and GRWM videos recently, and now here's my review.

Also, below are a bunch of pictures and swatches for you! Click any image to see it larger. Enjoy!

Click here to watch in HD, or watch below:

The packaging:

The palette:



Mirror detail:

Better look at the shadows:

All the swatches:

Row 1:

Row 2:

Row 3:

The palette also came with some teaser lipstick samples for the collection, set to come out later:

Not too bad sizes, several applications in each pod:

Thanks for watching and reading! Let me know your thoughts on this palette, if you've picked it up, or if you're planning to! Have an awesome weekend!

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Tutorial || New Year's Eve Makeup (Re-Uploaded, now with Audio!)

Sorry to anyone who clicked through and found my video without audio, only music earlier today! A couple of comments tipped me off to the fact that I exported it incorrectly last night. This is why you shouldn't work when tired or distracted... or both! Anyways, here is the proper export. Hope you like it! =)

BTW, go vote on my twitter poll about what I should do for my possible giveaway at 200 youtube subscribers: twitter.com/glitterOCD!!

Click here to watch in HD, or watch below:

Thanks for watching!

Sunday, December 20, 2015

REVIEW || Softlips Luxe Lipbalms + Giveaway

Hi guys! Today I have a review for you of some new lipbalms from Softlips: The Softlips Luxe 5-in-1 Lip Moisturizers! These were sent to me to review for you, and also to share a giveaway for my lovely readers! But before we get to the giveaway, let me tell you a little bit about the lipbalms, and my thoughts on them!

(At this point, I know that some people have alread scrolled past my whole review and are just entering the contest to win free stuff, but hopefully some people actually want my review! =P)

These balms claim to have 5 "lip loving benefits": 1) Hydrating "with nourishing butters and coconut oil", 2)Replenishing "with antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E", 3) Smoothing, 4) Protecting, and 5) Adding shine.

They also come in a quite nice packaging, as you can see below. They're meant to look like glass, and while it looks and feels like acrylic to me, it is definitely a little more luxurious feeling than the average opaque plastic tube most lipbalms come in, like Burts Bees or Lipsmackers!

I also quite like that the product itself is shaped like a lipstick bullet instead of the usual blunt-ended balm sticks. Not only does it look cooler, but it does actually help to apply it to your lips more accurately, especially if you're the type who never uses a mirror when applying lip balm (like me).

As you might have noticed in the first picture, there are two flavours: Creamy Coconut (the purple), and Silky Shea (the blue). These scents to me, are not especially different, and they are both slightly sweet without being over the top.

There really isn't much flavour to them, so it's really more of a soft scent. The coconut does remind me a little of a very soft version of the scent of the Maybelline lipsticks, if you've ever tried those, while the shea is harder to explain, but just generally sweet and pleasant. The shea is my favourite of the two.

These feel great on the lips, as well. They claim to be light weight and non greasy, and I definitely agree. They are thin and moisturizing on the lips, without being slippery or greasy, and they are certainly not thick or waxy. Personally, I love thick, waxy balms on really chapped lips, but these have a great consistency for everyday wear.

They claim they can also be used as a base for lipsticks, but as I don't use balms that way, and mainly wear mattes, I decided it wouldn't be fair for me to test this claim.

There is a slight menthol-y tingle right after you apply, but this fades very quickly, and is very gentle. There is also no minty smell, so don't worry if that isn't something you like. I was worried about the tingling at first, since it doesn't seem to be mentioned on the packaging, but menthol is in there in the ingredient list, so all is well. (I'm not sure why the brand's name (Mentholatum) didn't tip me off to the menthol... Don't ask.)

Also, as mentioned before, these include a handful of moisturizers, such as coconut oil, shea butter, and sunflower oil. However, petrolatum (petroleum jelly) is the second highest ingredient listed.

This isn't really my favourite ingredient for lip products, as is tends to just hold in moisture, not actually adding anything to the lips itself, and it does make the product sound a little cheaper, but it is a drugstore balm, and with the other oils (and a couple days of testing on very dry lips), I don't think you should be too turned off by the addition of petrolatum. Just wanted to let you know, in case this is a big deal for you personally!

If you're interested in picking up one or both of these balms, you can find them in the Wal-Mart cosmetics section. They retail for $4.67 each. You can also check out Softlips online at softlips.ca or on Facebook.

***

And now for the fun part for all of you! I get to giveaway to one of you lucky people a prize pack valued at $50 from Softlips including:

  • 1 Softlips LUXE lip moisturizer Creamy Coconut
  • 1 Softlips LUXE lip moisturizer Silky Shea
  • 1 Softlips CUBE lip moisturizer Fresh Mint
  • 1 Softlips CUBE lip moisturizer Peach Mango
  • 1 Purse Mirror
  • 1 Cosmetic Bag

Unfortunately, since the prize is being shipped out by Softlips, this is open to Canadians only. Sorry to everyone else!! =( You also will need to be of legal age to enter, or else have permission from a parent or guardian to give out your address to me and Softlips so we can send you your prize!

Also, any entries from a giveaway account will not be accepted.

I'm running this giveaway through the rafflecopter widget below. The only mandatory tasks are to follow this blog, either through GFC or Bloglovin' both of which have widgets in the sidebar, to visit Softlips' Facebook page, and to tweet this giveaway. You can tweet every day if you want, but you must share once to win. Everything else is bonus entries! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for reading!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

TUTORIAL || Christmas Makeup Look ft. the UD x Gwen Stefani Palette

Classic, pretty Christmas look for you, featuring gold eyes, winged liner, and red lips! Enjoy!

Click here to watch in HD, or watch below:

Thanks for watching!

Monday, December 14, 2015

VANCOUVER || Roger & Gallet First Canadian Store + Gift Ideas!

A little something different for you guys today; last week I got to go to an event at the first Roger & Gallet store to open in Canada here in Vancouver! It's in the beauty section of the big Hudson's Bay store downtown on Granville Street, if you want to check it out. And you really should! The store is adorable, and they have some great quality products, awesome scents, and surprisingly good prices for a high-end French fragrance brand!

So today I just want to give you a peek into the store in case you either can't go to the store yourself, or to show you if it's really worth it for you, as well as show you the goodies I received from the event, and a little overview of the brand and some of their products!

I took a heap of pictures of the store, since it was just adorable, and so bright, so it was super photogenic! Take a look:

(More after the jump!)

Friday, December 11, 2015

GRWM || Silvery Purple Eyes ft. UD Urban Vices point perk

In which I try out most of the products from my VIB sale haul the other day for you on camera, and show you a look you can get using the UD Urban Vices point perk if you picked it up, or if you already own all the UD Vice palettes! =)

Good for New Year's Eve, date night, or really anytime you want! =P <3

Click here to watch in HD, or watch below:

Thanks for watching!

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

HAUL || Sephora VIB Sale Haul + Mini Reviews

In which I show you my small haul from the Sephora VIB sale a little while ago, and share my mini reviews on the products I bought!

Click here to watch in HD, or watch below:

Thanks for watching!

Friday, December 4, 2015

Fall Favourites || September - November 2015

In which I talk about my favourite things in makeup, fashion, tech, music, and drinks from September through November... including rambling on about my favourite Starbucks drink of the moment for more than a whole minute... =P

Click here to watch in HD, or watch below:

Thanks for watching!

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

TUTORIAL || Fresh, Everyday Makeup

This look is perfect for school, work, and just everyday in general. In my experience, these products are all long-wearing on combination skin. I also think this is a great look to pair with any lip colour you can think of, because it is simple and very neutral, and won't clash! Enjoy!

Click here to watch in HD, or watch below:

Thanks for watching!

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