May Ipsy Bag 2014!

Hello all!

I just want to start off by saying that I really loved my past Ipsy bags. This month just wasn't working for me though :(. I got products I really wasn't interested in and some of them seemed like a cop out.

In this month's bag I received:
Pur~lisse hydra-balance moisturizer
Hang Ten Classic Sport Sunscreen
Pacifica Duo in #1
Nailtini polish in the colour "Champagne"
Eau Thermale Avene

To be honest, I don't like any of them! The nail polish is okay, but I don't really enjoy receiving them because my mom owns a Salon (Mei Nails 989 Fennell Avenue, Hamilton ON). I pretty much get my pick of all the colours we have.

Also, the moisturizer seems cheap and smells too much like Glysomed hand lotion - definitely wary about putting that on my face!

The sunscreen smells like Malibu Rum (not good in my books) but it does apply thinly. I could use it at some point in my trip.

The Pacifica Duo is poor quality. The colours are not pigmented nor are they smooth! They're quite powdery and the packaging just screams "cheap"!

The Eau Thermale is basically pressurized water. Water in a can.

I'm pretty disappointed in this month's Ipsy picks, but that's the feeling I'm getting from a lot of Ipsters too!

I hope next month is better.

Love,

jane

My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ddsm4CtLIY7TMVZdk20uQ/videos

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette Review

                                             

In the video above, I am wearing "Dim Light".

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette is definitely a "splurge" item. It contains about 0.348oz of product (0.116oz per powder) and it retails at Sephora for $67.00 CAD. The regular, full-sized powders are $52 CAD and contain 0.35oz of product. So with the palette you will pay more as well as lose out on quantity. 

However, the palette does contain one shade that is exclusive to it. Incandescent Light is only available in the palette and is a pale, peachy, pink powder with shimmer that reflects on the skin.

Left to Right: Dim Light, Incandescent Light, Radiant Light

Lets start with a what I like about the product. First off, I love the packaging. It's smooth and sleek and easy to clean (although it does tend to attract fingerprints). I also love the colour of it! The rosy chrome colour is stunning! The simplicity of the design makes it very elegant.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

Secondly, I love how smooth the powders are. Dim Light and Radiant Light are so smooth and creamy. They swatch and blend beautifully. Incandescent Light doesn't swatch as nicely nor does it feel as smooth as the other two, however it is still a very blendable shade.

Third, they all provide a beautiful glow to the face. There are no obvious chunks of glitter but rather, a subtle glow that makes it look like you are in soft lighting. I love the "lit from within" look!

Left to Right: Dim Light, Incandescent Light, Radiant Light

Left to Right: Dim Light, Incandescent Light, Radiant Light

They're all soft to the touch and wonderful to work with. My favourite is Dim Light because it provides such a beautiful and romantic sheen.

A few cons:
- The price! It's very expensive for such a small size.
- Doesn't control oil. I know it's not meant to, however after a couple hours I can definitely notice a lot of shine (not the good kind).
- Lack of neutral colours in the palette. I think they would have done well if they included a shade like "Diffused Light" instead of Incandescent Light. It would provide a better balance for all skin tones.

All in all, a very nice palette to add to my ever growing collection of makeup. I appreciate the concept of "lighting" and enjoy experimenting with it all! If you've got something that performs as well as this, don't go rushing out to buy it.

See you next time!

Love,

jane

My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ddsm4CtLIY7TMVZdk20uQ/videos

Back in stock!!

I absolutely FREAKED out when I found out that the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder Palette was back in stock at Sephora for Mother's Day. Of course, I ordered it right away! I really wanted to try a range of these powders and I think this set is the best way to do that. This sold out so quickly when the lighting powders first came out and the prices on Ebay and Amazon were INSANE. Needless to say, I'm ecstatic that I'll be a proud owner of this palette for a reasonable price.

The palette includes Incandescent Light (an exclusive to the palette) and two existing shades, Dim Light and Radiant Light. 

The palette is $67 CAD for 0.348oz and a single full sized shade (0.38oz) is $52 CAD. Considering the small size of the product, I am a little still a bit skeptical of the price, but I will sacrifice that for the colour range and versatility.

Stay tuned for a full review!

Love,

jane

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Ardene & Forever 21 Haul

Surprise, surprise...Jane is shopping.

Here's my latest shopping haul!

Enjoy!

Love,

jane

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My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ddsm4CtLIY7TMVZdk20uQ/videos

April Ipsy Bag

I've been subscribed to Ipsy since December and all in all, I've been happy with the products I'm getting. Each month it works out to be about $16.55 CAD (dependent on exchange rate) for one bag. This month has definitely earned it's worth, in my opinion!

Here are my goodies:

This month's bag is "Beauty Rocks" themed and the contents of the bag work well with the theme. Although the makeup bag itself is a little flimsy (the other bags have been sturdier) I like the size of this one.

I got a travel sized Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Black Velvet, Dr. Brandt's Microdermabrasion treatment which I have yet to use, Elizabeth Mott's pop! goes the shadow in Champagne, Starlooks lip pencil in Naked, and lastly a Coastal Scents medium shadow brush.

The eyeliner and lip liner were my favourites of the bag (I mentioned them both in this month's favourites video), but I also really enjoy the champagne shadow. I've got a Sigma E55 brush that does a better job than the Coastal Scents one, and I'm a little wary of trying the microdermabrasion treatment.

Left to Right: pop! goes the shadow; champagne. Starlooks lip liner; Naked. UB 24/7 liner; Black Velvet.

The eyeshadow is very smooth and buttery and has a pretty glow to it. It provides a very sparkly highlight to the inner corner of the eye and it can even be used as a cheek highlight as long as you apply it carefully.

The lip liner is extremely soft and creamy! Has great pigmentation and blends like a dream!

The UB 24/7 liner is smudge-proof when it's dry and is one of the darkest, creamiest, and truest black liners I've tried on the market.

All in all, a great "bang" for your buck. Most of the products are mid-range to high-end as well. There are some "filler" products of lesser quality but it really isn't that hard on the wallet. Who knows, you may even like some lesser known products if you have an open mind! Thanks for reading :)

Love,

jane

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Check out Ipsy's site. 

My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ddsm4CtLIY7TMVZdk20uQ/videos

April Favourites 2014

Helloooooo! Long time no see. Kind of.

Exams are officially done for this semester so I am making my way back into the blogging world.

Here are my favourites this month. (If you don't like to read, all the info below is in the video).

Soap & Glory Rub Your Nose In It
This stuff is amazing! It really helps minimize the look of pores with extended use.

Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Foundation "Medium Bisque"
I have the color Medium Bisque and it's the PERFECT colour for me right now. It's so blendable and easily buildable.

BareMinerals Matte Foundation "Golden Fair"
This loose foundation has been great for a casual day at school or work. The coverage is variable - can be light or can be built up to medium coverage. Best part? It doesn't clog pores.

Urban Decay 24/7 Liner "Black Velvet"
Loveeeee this liner. Honestly. It's so pigmented and blendable. And it doesn't smudge! Must try more.

Sonia Kashuk Eyeliner Brush #107
It's tiny and gives you a lot of control. Perfect for flicking that gel liner!

Sigma E40 Blending Brush
My holy grail blending brush. Perfect for all pigments!

Starlooks Luscious Longwear Lip Pencil "Naked"
I've been loving this! It came in my April Ipsy bag and I think it's perfect for spring. Think pink roses and cream.

That's it, folks! Thanks for reading/watching.

Love,

jane

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The Secret Video is out!

Here it is everyone! Thank you so much for watching and I really do hope that this video would affect you in some way or another.

HUGE thank you goes out to Vinh Ngo who helped me film and edit this video. Couldn't have done it without you, my friend! Thanks also goes out to Pat Pho and Mary Hoang who endured cold weather and unexpected hikes to help me film.

Love,

jane

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