May Favourites!!

Hello, It's monthly favourites time again, I cannot believe May is already over, it feels like its just begun. It was really hard to not go overboard this month as I had A LOT of favourites, I had to really dwindle it down to an acceptable amount. There are quite a few different favourite this month, from beauty and hair to music and TV shows. Hope you enjoy xx

So let's start with beauty products, I was definitely reaching for these products the most this month and I love them all equally, without further ado, here are my favourite beauty and non-beauty bits and bobs :)

BEAUTY

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette - $64 
I've had this since it came out but I've only just started using during May and I have to say it's totally worth all the hype. It comes in a beauty rose gold case with 12 brand new gorgeous rose-hued shades.

L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream in Medium- $12
I decided to buy this after getting a couple recommendation for the foundation. I figured the BB cream would be just as good but with a lighter coverage and feel. This stuff is so good, it has great lighter coverage, it's easy to blend, and it works amazingly for the hotter days since it's doesn't have a heavy foundation feel.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Bikini Tini - $24
I've been loving using this as an alternative to using a regular primer. It's smudge proof and crease resistant and lasts all day.

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub - $10
I literally always have chapped lips,  it's really annoying but this has been a godsend, I use it regularly and then immediately put Vaseline on my lips and they've been so moisturized and smooth.

Nyx Powder Blush in Desert Rose - $5
I got this in a set of 3 from Hautelook a couple years ago but never really tried any of the blushes since they were a lot darker than I liked, so they were all thrown in the back of my makeup storage and forgotten about until a couple weeks ago. Now I'm all about blush, it's my favourite type of makeup and I love experimenting with all different colours and this has been my favourite since I found it again.

Real Techniques Stippling Brush - $9
Stippling brushes are my favourite since they are so versatile, you can use them for pretty much everything. I usually use mine for blush, especially with more pigmented blushes as you can really control how much colour you want to show.

Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara - $24
I absolutely love this mascara, I got it in a Tarte set from Sephora (haul post here) and I knew it would be one of my favourite from the first time. 

Revlon Colour Burst Balm Stain in Sweetheart - $9
I always prefer using stains and balms over lipstick and this is no exception.  It's very long lasting and pigmented, It goes on feeling like a balm, looking like a lipstick, and with the lasting power of a stain, literally what else could you need?

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger - $32
This was the first non blush Nars product I bought, and it's hands down, the best concealer I've ever used. It always covers my purple-y dark circles and any imperfections, it isn't too thick or heavy, it stays put, highlights and doesn't crease of settle into any fine line.

HAIR & BODY

Manic Panic Semi-Permanent Hair Colour Cream in Vampire Red - $15
I haven't been in the mood to fully dye my hair lately, I'm trying to keep it as healthy as possible, so instead I've been using Manic Panic, which is vegan and free of harsh chemicals. I find the colour payoff to be way more vivid and bright than most regular hair dyes!!

Pureology Reviving Red System - Shamp'oil & Reflective Conditioner - $30
Along with the aforementioned Manic Panic, these hair products keep my hair insanely red. I always have people asking me how I keep my hair so red without constantly dying it and I tell them about this line. I definitely want to try the other products as well, though they are on the more expensive spectrum, they both run for roughly $30.

L'Oreal EverSleek Humidity Defying Leave In Creme
I use this after every shower on damp hair and I've noticed it extremely decreases the frizz in my hair, and it also flattens my curls a bit which makes my hair easier to straighten. 

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream - $20
I cannot and will not get over the AMAZING smell of this product, it's my holy grail body butter. It's very sweet scented, like key lime pie.  If you've never smelled this product you need to guy check it out!!

MISC

Our Own Candle Company - Pina Colada

Favourite Show - The Mentalist

Favourite Songs of May

Floral Cut-Out iPhone Case

Kate Spade Crossbody Bag

Review: Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure

So, I received this product complimentary in a VoxBox from Influenster, personally I've never been a fan of fake drugstore nails but I figured I'd give these a go. This pink colour is called Control Freak, though it's not really a nail colour that I would personally choose.. Honestly, I wasn't very imPRESS-ed (hehe) they definitely aren't as durable as they claim to be. I got two sets in the VoxBox, I tried the first set right away, it was a cute nude & black lace design and was extremely easy to apply but it only lasted about an hour before all the nails stared falling off. I tried this pink set on this morning and it lasted about 6-7 hours before one fell off.

  This is what you get in each set, 24 nails in 12 different sizes, a prep pad and a nail file. They run for around $7.50 at Walmart.

The application was easy the first time I tried it but this time it was pretty frustrating. There is a little tab at the cuticle of the nail that you need to pull off to reveal the glue, I'm not sure why but these little tabs did not for the life of me want to peel off, I resorted to using tweezers on either side pull them off.  Another issue I had was the size of these nails, I don't know if my nails are wider than most but only a handful of the nails actually fit. They also fit too short on my nails and I had to file my nails down a bit so it wouldn't look odd. They would definitely work better for those who have short nails. This is apparently an issue for a lot of other people as well since I've read it several different reviews.

Overall, I love the idea of these nails since I am not a fan of all the fuss of using regular nail polish, I just feel like they fell flat a bit, they are absolutely beautiful but need more sizes and lengths and stronger glue!!

Sephora Haul!!

So, I was long overdue for a little Sephora spree, I only bought a few things but I got a lot of neat little perks. Don't you just love freebies?

   YES, so I was really pumped when I heard the 500 point perk was a Nars cult favourites set. I've been saving my points for Nars and I figured I might as well get some other stuff I've been wanting as well.  The set comes with a 4 adorable minis, a .14 oz. Blush in Deep Throat, a .05 oz. Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien, a .01 oz. Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Via Veneto, and finally a .01 oz Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base.

First of all, I just have to say these swatches literally didn't budge all day, I tidied my bedroom, did some spring cleaning, ran some errands and they were still as fresh as when I put them on in the morning.

 Nars Satin Lip Pencil - $30

The Satin Lip Pencil is a rosy pink colour. I was pleasantly surprised at the size of this sample, it's only .02 oz smaller than the full size which runs for $30 CAD. The only downside is that it's quite shimmery which is something that I usually wouldn't go for, since I'm more of a tinted balm girl but this pencil is very smooth and velvety and pretty much goes on feeling and looking like a balm.

Nars Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner - $28

The Eyeliner is just a plain black, but you can never have enough black eyeliners, amirite? and this one is a mini, so it fits nicely in my to-go bag. Honestly, I didn't feel like it was anything special, it's definitely smooth but I've found other drugstore eyeliners for a fraction of the price with the same quality. 

Nars Blush- $33

The Blush was my favourite item in the set, it's fairly small at 4g but I'm happy with the size because I can finally fit a blush in my small to-go bag and plus it's really cute. Deep Throat is a warm peachy colour with a subtle pink and golden shimmer, it's more sheer than I was expecting but it's buildable and gives a nice glow to the skin for the warmer months. It's definitely subtle enough that it can be used as an everyday blush.

* prices are for full size products

I was in need of a new foundation since my L'Oreal Nude Magic BB cream is nearing its end, and I saw this set in the sale section so I figured, why not? I always love buying from Tarte because their products are formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates and other not so great ingredients and best of all, they are 100% cruelty free. It was definitely a good deal at $28, which was $13 off the regular price and at a value of $82. This set comes with an full size Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara in black, a full size Pure Maracuja Oil Roller-ball, an .8 oz Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation, and a really cute makeup pouch. 

Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara - $24
I am a mascara junkie, I've used so so so many brands, from drug store to high end and I just absolutely loved this mascara, it's now made its way into my top 5 mascaras. It stays all day, has absolutely NO clumps and defines + lengthens every single lash (even the dingy ones) The colour is a true black, and best of all; it doesn't smear or flake.

 Pure Maracuja Oil Rollerball - $20

So, I have only used the Maracuja Oil a handful of times but I already feel like it lives up to all the hype about how great it is. I use it as a nighttime moisturizer and my skin always feels extremely soft and radiant after I use it. You'd think an oil would be well.... oily, but nope, it doesn't just sit on the skin like a lot of oils and feel heavy but it really sinks in and moisturizes your skin. I'll definitely repurchase.

 Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation - $49

 The foundation was the only product in the set that wasn't full sized but it's still a fairly generous size. I've only tried it once but my first impression is that it's pretty good. It has a mousse type texture, and it's for sure full coverage foundation but I just wasn't blown away by it, It didn't really feel like it lasted all day and I even used a setting spray. I'll definitely have to experiment with it more to see what brush or sponge works best with it and base my opinion off that.

Benefit's Posietint - $36

I'm obsessed with any and all lip & cheek stains, they are so easy and versatile to use, you just sweep some on your cheeks and/or lips, blend, and you're set. So obviously I love the entire range of tints that benefit offers, they are some of my favourite beauty products on the market. Unfortunately I lost the Posietint that I bought myself for my birthday so I had to repurchase it, because this is something everyone needs in their makeup collection.

Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm - $8.50

I've heard so many amazing things about the Smith's Rosebud salve but I opted to instead buy the minted rose version and I'm happy I did. So this product was created especially for Sephora, it heals chapped lips but also soothes and heals irritations, minor burns and can be used on the lips, elbows, or knees to condition and relieve dry skin.  I was a bit skeptical about the healing of minor burns, but I did get a small curling iron burn and it actually did relieve the pain fairly quick, I was extremely impressed. This is pretty much a mintier & cuter version of Vaseline.

So here are the samples and I choose:
1. Origins CC Cream
2. Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil
3. MUFE HD Pressed Powder

I also used one of their promo codes and choose 3 deluxe samples, I picked:
1. Philosophy Miracle Worker Overnight Moisturizer ( It's funny that the print is off center lol)
2. Urban Decay Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
3. Prada Milano Infusion D'Iris Rollerball

So I had to talk about how AMAZING this deluxe sample is, it's not even a sample really, it's a full size rollerball, like what? it''s absolutely gorgeous, it came in a mint coloured leather case and it smells so nice. It's a very gentle, fresh and elegant smell, there are notes of oranges, iris, incense, and it's also a bit powdery as well. The longevity is amazing, it literally lasted all day on my wrists. I'd definitely recommend if you tend to lean towards perfumes that smells of citrus and florals.

So, that's it for my haul, I spent roughly $50 CAD, which I'd say is pretty good!!