Benefit They're Real!

Today I have a product to share with you that has received a ton of hype and awards in the beauty world: Benefit's They're Real! mascara. I've been wanting to try out this mascara for years, and I finally got the chance when I received Sephora's 2013 Beauty Insider Birthday Gift.

"This breakthrough bestseller reveals lashes you never knew you had! The specially designed brush features staggered bristles that grab close to the root, boosting length and volume beyond belief. The custom-domed tip uses precision bristles to lift, define, and curl even your tiniest lashes. With a glossy, jet-black, long-wearing formula, you’ll flaunt luxurious, silky lashes that won’t smudge, clump, or dry out. True story! "

I really love the brush for this mascara, it's a plastic wand that is quite large. The tip of the wand has a small ball of bristles which is really great for getting into the corners of your eyes. When I first tried this mascara, I have to admit that I wasn't overwhelmed. However, after my tube has had some time to dry out, I really love this mascara. Some mascaras just need some time to dry out before they work perfectly!

My lashes have a fairly good natural curl and length, so I always look for volume in my mascaras. I really like my lashes looking bold and dramatic, and Benefit's They're Real definitely delivers in this area. The plastic bristles help separate lashes, but I do find that I have to work quickly before this mascara dries and sets. I'm not able to layer this mascara, so I only ever wear one coat. However, one coat does deliver great volume, so I don't really need further coats for a daily look. This mascara doesn't flake or smear on my eyes, even on my bottom lashes.  

One of my complaints with this mascara is that it can dry to a crunchy finish, which obviously isn't desired. I do like my mascaras to feel more natural and weightless, but those mascaras tend not to be very volumizing. You definitely do need a makeup remover to take this mascara off at the end of the night, and I've been using Bioderma for the job. 

Have you tried the famous They're Real! from Benefit? Do you think it's worth the hype? This mascara costs $29 CAD, which definitely isn't cheap. However, I think it's a great volumizing mascara and is a great "treat yourself" product! 

CCO Haul! MAC, Bobbi Brown, Ojon

This past long weekend my boyfriend and I took a trip down to New York City! It was the first time both of us have been to the city, and our first trip as a couple. We both had an amazing time, and I managed to get a ton of shopping done. On our drive home we stopped at Tannersville PA, and did some outlet shopping. I found my way over to the CCO (Cosmetic Company Outlet), and spent some time soaking it all in! I don't think there are any CCO's in Canada, so I was really excited to take advantage of the deals.

I first took a look at the MAC lipsticks that were available, and found three that I liked. There wasn't a huge selection, and most were dark browns which I don't often wear. The lipsticks were $10.50 each, which is great compared to the normal price of $18 CAD. I ended up getting To Catch A Sailor (frost), Plumful (lustre), and Rebel (satin). Chelsea Wears always raves about Rebel, and it looks amazing on her, so I had to check it out! Rebel is a beautiful deep vampy plum. To Catch A Sailor was limited edition last year, so I was excited to see it at the CCO. This is a pretty frosty gold that I think will look great paired with a gloss, or on it's own. Plumful is a rosy plum shade that has great pigmentation and a creamy formula.

Left to Right: Plumful, To Catch A Sailor, Rebel

Next, I noticed Bobbi Brown's Corrector in Light Bisque. This was only $16.25, which is amazing considering the normal Canadian price is $30. I've heard a ton of rave reviews on this product, and I can't wait to start trying it out!

Finally, I picked up Ojon's Rare Blend Oil. I've tried a few samples of this hair oil in the past, and I really enjoyed it. This 1.5 oz bottle was $28, whereas the normal Canadian price is $42. I was planning on buying this oil eventually, so I'm really glad that I found it at a reduced price!

Have you ever been to a CCO? Let me know what kind of deals you've scored, and if you've tried any of the products I picked up! :)

Josie Maran Argan Balm

I just got back from my long-weekend trip to NYC late last night, and I had an amazing time! The city was beautiful, and we were able to see everything that was on our list. I did a ton of shopping, so you will definitely be seeing a haul post or two very soon :)

Now onto today's post... I get really dry hands and about a year I came across Josie Maran's products. I bought both the Argan Balm and Argan Oil, and both are great products for drier skin. Josie Maran's Argan Oil has received a ton of hype, but I haven't heard too many reviews on her Argan Balm. I really love this product to use on my hands and cuticles, but it has many other uses!

"A multitasking balm that acts as a natural solution for dry or dehydrated skin.

Infused with Argan Oil, this deeply moisturizing balm creates a barrier on the skin to seal in hydration, provide protection, and offer nourishment. The fragrance-free, petroleum-free formula leaves the skin soft and supple. Shea Butter and essential oils provide additional moisture. Apply this balm liberally over the body to instantly send relief to rough patches, dry lips, and even frizzy hair. "

This Argan Balm is very, very lightly scented, which makes it great for sensitive skin. This balm melts on contact, and I find it a lot easier to use than a traditional oil. I like to use this on my cuticles, as I find that it helps nourish, condition, and hydrate. This balm sinks in quickly, yet the hydration lasts for hours. I also like using this as a lip balm, and it doesn't feel greasy or heavy at all. You can also use this on your hair, and I find that it works wonderfully to tame frizz and help moisturize dry ends. Josie Maran's Argan Balm comes housed in a large 130g metal jar that is sure to last quite a while.  

Have you tried any of Josie Maran's argan products? What are your go-to products to help heal dry skin? :)

Dior Amber Diamond

Today I bring you one of the most famous and beloved beauty products on the market: Dior's Amber Diamond! So many people raved about this highlighter, that I just had to have it. I bought this from Sephora about a year ago, and I have been loving it ever since. 

"This Spring Dior introduces Diorskin Shimmer Star, a light-filled pressed powder enriched with Jeweled Microdust™. These five micro-shimmering tones set off sparks of brilliance, highlighting your complexion. The ultra-fine, super-blendable formula virtually fuses with your skin for a sheer, radiant luminosity."

I absolutely love highlighters, and this one in particular gives my skin the most beautiful, radiant glow. This palette does include five different shades, but I personally like to swirl all of the shades together. I sweep this beautiful powder over my cheekbones, and down my nose. You can also use these as eye shadows, which makes this a great multi-purpose palette. 

Shades swatched individually left to right, and then lastely all together

My favourite blushes to pair this highlighter over are NARS' Cactus Flower, NARS Lustre, Tarte's Natural Beauty, and Tarte's Exposed. While Amber Diamond might look like a bronzer in the palette, it doesn't add very much colour to your skin. This product simply adds a beautiful warm glow, rather than a bronzey finish. 

I definitely think that this product is worth both the hype and the splurge! I also have Dior's Rose Diamond, and while I love them both, I would choose Amber Diamond if I could only have one. Have you tried Dior's famous Amber Diamond? Do you think it's worth the hype? :)

REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate

If you regularly follow beauty blogs, chances are you've heard about REN's Resurfacing AHA Concentrate. This product has been all over the blogging world, receiving a ton of hype. Once again, I gave into the hype and decided to give this product a try. Let's see how I got on with it...

"This product gently exfoliates so that the skin appears radiant, even toned, and smoothed. It reduces the appearance of pore size and fine lines, improves moisture retention, and enhances the efficacy of your skincare routine. A powerful complex alpha hydroxy acids, including glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acids, promotes cell turnover. Skin is left looking healthier, revitalized, brighter, and smoother."

I apply this product a few nights a week after I've cleansed and toned my skin. I then always make sure to follow up with a moisturizer. This product is a clear liquid that almost looks like water. The runny formula applies easily to my skin, and absorbs quickly. REN's Resurfacing AHA Concentrate is meant to exfoliate the skin gently, reducing the appearance of pores, evening skin tone, and leaving your skin smoother. While many bloggers have raved about this skin care item, I don't think that it's life-changing. I've been using this bottle for a few months, and I unfortunately haven't seen a drastic change. I will continue to use my bottle, but I don't think I will be repurchasing. 

This product does brighten my skin, but the results are only temporary. I really had high hopes for this product, but unfortunately it fell a bit short for my skin. Have you tried REN's Resurfacing AHA Concentrate? Are you a fan, or were you also left disappointed?

Benefit Sun Beam

With Summer on the way, bronzers are of high importance to many beauty lovers. My go-to bronzer is Benefit's Hoola, but I also love Sun Beam. Sun Beam is a liquid bronzer that comes in the same packaging as High Beam and Benetint.

"Consider this liquid sunshine in a bottle. This golden bronze highlighter gives you a natural, sunkissed radiance. Dot and blend over makeup onto cheek and browbones for a bronzed glow that complements all skintones."

Sun Beam can be applied in a few different ways. One way is to mix this liquid bronzer into your foundation. I really love how Sun Beam mixes with MAKE UP FOR EVER's HD Foundation. This combination gives your face the most beautiful glow, and adds just a hint of colour. You can also apply Sun Beam directly to your cheekbones and brow bones, and then blend out. I really like adding this to my cheekbones, as this doubles as a highlighter and bronzer. This formula is really smooth and creamy, with a nice glow without any glitter. I don't have anything else like this in my collection!

Left: swatched heavily. Right: Blended out

I love the golden glow that Sun Beam adds to my complexion. The formula is very creamy and easy to blend out without leaving any streaks. This product has good staying power, and it does last all day long on my skin. I know that I'm going to be reaching for this product a ton this Summer, as it adds a beautiful glow and it's super easy to use!

Have you tried Benefit's Sun Beam or any other cream or liquid bronzers?

Bioderma Sébium H2O

I reviewed Bioderma Sensibio H2O a few weeks ago, and now I bring you Bioderma Sébium H2O*! I find that the two formulas a very similar, but I like them for different reasons. The Sébium H2O line is meant for more oily skin types, while the Sensibio H2O line is geared towards anyone with normal, dry, or sensitive skin types. 

I like to use Bioderma Sébium H2O by saturating a cotton pad with the micellaire solution. The new packaging includes a very handy pump, so you don't waste any product! I use about 2-3 pumps for my entire face. I like to use Bioderma Sébium H2O to remove all of my face makeup before I use my facial cleanser. This way I know that my cleanser is properly cleansing my face, and not just working at removing my makeup. I used to double cleanse my face, but now Bioderma is my first step!

Bioderma Sébium H2O removes foundation, blush, bronzer, highlighter, you name it so easily. This product requires no effort at all, and all of your makeup is instantly dissolved! I like to use Bioderma Sensibio H2O to remove my eye makeup, since it is a slightly more gentle formula. Even though Bioderma Sébium H2O is geared towards oily skin types, I can't say for sure that this product actively helps to control oils. I have combination/normal skin, so at times my t-zone can get slightly oily, but normally it's pretty balanced. If you have very oily skin, this won't be a miracle product for curbing oil production, but it does a great job at removing makeup. 

Have you tried Bioderma's famous makeup removers? Which formula is your favourite? :)