Word of mouth: M.A.C. Select Lip Palette and Nutcracker Sweet Red Lip Gloss Kit

Have you been to MAC Cosmetics lately? They keep releasing gorgeous limited edition collections, and I got my hands on some pretty awesome goods.

I went to MAC a few weeks ago to replenish my boring essentials ( Select Cover-up NW20) and the lovely sales person was telling me all about their new Select rewards program. First, you get a good size sample with every purchase (I got the Prep + Prime Skin), and you all know how much I love freebies.

The MAC Select program comes in 3 levels: Seduced, Devoted and Obsessed. Each category comes with its own perks. After you spend a certain amount of money, you graduate to the next level. I wonder if they will release a “Rehab” level, you know, for folks like me who have spent every paycheque there since high school! Sadly, it does not include past purchases (I asked… haha).

One of the things that I love most about MAC is their “Back to MAC” recycling program. Bring 6 empties and get a free lipstick or eyeshadow. Now with the new Select program, you can bring your empties as you go, and they will record it in your file. No more holding on to garbage.. unless you’re doing an “Empties” vlog of course! I have to thank all my essentials for getting me hooked up in the lipstick department!

MAC Select Lip Palette x6 ($48)

Speaking of lipsticks, MAC sent over a few gorgeous products for me to try out and share the love with you. I received the Select Lip Palette (which is this month’s feature product under the Select program). It’s a perfect combination of 6 popular shades of lipstick in matte finishes:

  • Kinda Sexy : Neutral Pinky Rose (Matte)
  • All Fired Up : Bright fuschia matte (Retro Matte)
  • Lady Danger : Vivid bright coralred (Matte)
  • Candy Yum Yum : Neon pink (Matte)
  • Ruby Woo : Very matte vivid blue red (Retro Matte)
  • Flat Out Fabulous : Bright plum matte (Retro Matte)

I love the bright tones in this palette, and you can tell all the shades were thoughtfully selected. The 6-in-1 palette is perfect to pack away with you for the holidays or a vacation, and helps you pick the right colours, if you have a hard time deciding on what to bring. Because it runs a bit larger and requires a brush to apply, it isn’t something I would carry in my purse.

I always use any lipstick with Prep + Prime Lip, a base coat lip balm that helps keep the lipstick intact, and reduces feathering. I also typically use a lipliner when applying lipstick, but with a brush, I get the same precision.

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Holiday Collection- Nutcracker Sweet Red Lip Gloss Mini Kit ($42)

Every year, MAC releases a holiday collection that make perfect gifts. I was given the Lip Gloss Mini Kit, a coordinated candy cane red kit of mini Cremesheen Glass and Dazzleglass in a stylish little box. These holiday kits are always a steal, which is why they don’t last very long (value $88). I love the brush kits that are released too, it’s great way to get your collection started, and at a crazy cheap price!

Think of this as a box of fat-free chocolates you can offer any girly girl as a gift, she will adore it and you! This kit includes a combination of 4 creamsheen glosses. Creamsheen gloss is a lip finish that fuses the creamy texture of a lipstick with the high shine of a gloss. It has a sweet vanilla scent and the classic honey-like texture MAC is known for. I love the combination of sparkle and red/pink tones in this kit.

  • Galaxy Rose: Midtone Violet Pink (Cremesheen)
  • Gumdrop: Intense cheery red (Cremesheen)
  • Courting Chic : Deep berry red w/gold sparkles (Cremesheen)
  • Phiff! : Sheer yellow peach (Dazzleglass)

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I was playing around with the kit one evening and decided to paint my face with it! I used the Dazzlesheen on my cheeks as a highlighter and the Gumdrop pink/red on my lips.

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Product Review: Joico K-Pak Color Therapy and Moisture Co+Wash Whipped Conditioner

The lighter my hair gets, the more I am in love with it. But as any blonde girl knows, lightning your hair can take a toll on your locks, even if you use the most gentle and high quality hair colouring products.

The timing could not have been better when I received some Joico hair care products to review, labelled MOISTURE on both bottles.  With the cold weather coming in, I am finding my hair more dry than ever. I received Joico’s Moisture Co+Wash Whipped Cleansing Conditioner and K-Pak Color Therapy Luster Lock and Instant Shine & Repair Treatment.

JOICO MOISTURE CO+WASH WHIPPED CLEANSING CONDITIONER

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This mousse smells terrific and is super moisturizing! Wash your hair with shampoo first, then pump a small amount in your palm. I have way too much in my hand in this pic, you only need half the amount because as you see in the next pic, the mousse gets foamier and expands.

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Place foam on your wet hair and leave it in for 5 minutes (i.e. shave one leg), then rinse. Don’t forget to shave the other leg! hahaha

Verdict

This stuff smalls great! I don’t think this product was strong enough for my hair, it needs more moisture! I will have to try it again with a different shampoo because I used my purple shampoo, which dries my hair out even more. I’ll get back to you on  this. The bottle recommends this for curly hair, so next time I will curl my hair instead of air drying it.

JOICO K-PAK COLOR THERAPY LUSTER LOCK INSTANT SHINE & REPAIR TREATMENTjoico-hair-product-review-ottawa-beauty-blog-mode-xlusive-chantal-sarkisian

Use this treatment like you would any conditioner. Place on clean wet hair, and leave in for 5 minutes. Again, shave your legs in between to pass the time in the shower! Rinse and style as usual. I would keep this stuff away from your roots. It’s very moisturizing and would weigh down your hair.

Verdict

Now this treatment cream was made for me! I could tell right away when my hair was air drying that my hair was softer and more shiny than usual. It also smells like heaven. You don’t need very much either, so this tube will last me for ever! I can’t wait to use it again 🙂

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Beauty Quest: In search of the best dry shampoo

A few things to get the conversation started. This post will only be useful to you if you can answer yes to some, or most, of these questions:

  • Do you hate washing your hair?
  • Are you lazy when it comes to blowdrying your hair?
  • Does your hair get oily at the root very quickly?
  • Do you like, need more volume in your roots?
  • Do you like to lengthen the time between your washes (a.k.a. wash your hair as less often)?
  • Do you have thick hair?
  • Do you have blonde hair?

My solution to all of these questions- DRY SHAMPOO!

The problem is, that there are literally hundreds of brands out there that promise to be the BEST dry shampoo. If you ask me, the best dry shampoo is a personal choice, and depends on your intent and your mane! For example, I have thick blonde hair, which means that my faves, may not be yours! Also, some have “Extra hold” formulas which are good for teasing and up-dos only, while others give a more soft and natural look.

best dry shampoo Batiste-Dry-Shampoo
I love the tropical one, it smells like coconuts!

I have been using batiste dry shampoo for so many years, and I am super happy with it! The thing is, even though I love it, feel as though I may be missing out on something else (classic case of #FOMO). I know, I know, “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it”… but try and hold back a beauty junkie form buying more products!

You can find Batiste dry shampoo pretty much anywhere (Shoppers Drug Mart or Winners), although I usually buy mine online. The price is around $10. Because I use so much and so often, I do find that I go through it very quickly.
Now, I do find this brand goes on very light and powdery, but I like it since it almost lightens my hair. I cannot attest to how brunettes feel about this product. I can tell you however, that my sister has fine light brown hair, and she uses it as well. In fact, she introduced it to me.

 

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Have you heard of EVA-NYC? They recently got in touch with me to test out their shampoo and conditionner as they were launching their products throughout all Costcos in Canada. Their products, including the Eva-NYC dry shampoo, smells amazing if you love the argan oil type smells. This formula is very light and refreshing. It does not have a thick white powdery feel and is truly meant to “Freshen Up” your tired hair. I can see myself using this before my roots gets really oily, I don’t think it could handle that mess. Bonus, it will leave your hair smelling great too!
The EVA-NYC dry shampoo sells for about $19.50 and can be purchased online (in shops like Well.ca).

COLAB

If you’re looking for that extra hold and volume (think dry shampoo meets hairspray meets voluming hair styling powder), consider the Ruth Crilly Colab Dry Shampoo (extreme hold) line. The different coloured bottles have different scents inspired by fashion cities like London, Paris, and New York. This formula is a touch less intimidating than the XXL volume by Batiste. Please keep in mind that your hair will be super dry and crispy (a.k.a you cannot run your fingers through it). It’s not for everyday use, but when a girl needs volume for an up-do, she compromises softness (am I right?).

I bought London, and love the smell. It’s fresh with an edge and reminds me of the way all Westin hotel smell, like a vibrant citrus or something! I got it on sale at Shoppers for $7.99 (regular price $11.99).

Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo Review

I have tried Oscar Blandi dry shampoo ( number one seller at Sephora), but to my surprise I did not like it. It wasn’t for me.Klorane Dry Shampoo Goat Milk

Next on my list to test out would be Klorane Dry Shampoo ( with Goat’s Milk). This one is a favourite among beauty bloggers. I would also like to test out Cake Beauty Satin Dry Shampoo.

Well there you have it folks, a few options to consider. And if you’re really stuck, you can always use some good old fashion baby powder!

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