Beauty

Beauty related posts.

Mini mascaras, mini reviews

~ stashy ~ 30 Comments

This post kicks off “Lash Week” on my blog!  I will be posting products and tools catering just to eye lashes, one of my most obsessed over facial features.  Like most of you, I’ve got a stash of mini mascaras through gwp and beauty sets.  This year I’ve been making a conscious effort to go through mine to see if there are any hidden gems among the lot.

I trialed the following 4 mini mascaras for one week each:
Buxom Sculpted Lash – $24 (Sephora)
Clinique High Impact – $19 (Sephora, department stores, Beauty Boutiques)
Benefit They’re Real! – $29 (Sephora, Beauty Boutiques)
Shiseido Perfect Defining Volume – $30 (Sephora, department stores, Beauty Boutiques, select Rexalls)
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The value of the samples are actually quite good when you look at the full sized price and how many ml you get in the samples:
minimascarareviews2

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I did it: MAC 137 Long Blending Brush

~ stashy ~ 22 Comments

I bought it.  Yup.  What happened?  Let me tell you the tale.

On a fateful Thursday, I received an email from Hudson’s Bay VIP Rewards to let me know that my points balance was 9,494 (for non-Canadians, Hudson’s Bay is like Macy’s).  This means I actually have enough to redeem for a $40 gift card (2,000 pts = $10).  Then I scroll down and I see an offer:
MAC137brush2
That’s like getting $10 back for spending $50 – that’s 20% off – pretty good.  But only on cosmetics and fragrances – hrm.  Never mind.

Famous last words. Keep reading to find out what happened.

Tips for going to the spa

~ stashy ~ 12 Comments

I recently got a facial done – my first of the year!  I used to get one about once a month but lately I haven’t had the time.  Going to the spa is a nice indulgence – I do upkeep and maintenance at home, but nothing beats getting your face and scalp massaged for you!  I thought I’d share some tips on going to the spa.
facespa
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Yves Rocher Tradition de Hammam Oriental Soap with Argan and Olive Oil

~ stashy ~ 23 Comments

I just finished up another ill-gotten bar of hotel soap (L’Occitane Shea Butter soap in Milk, my fav) and decided to open up a full sized soap next.  The Yves Rocher Tradition de Hammam Oriental Soap with Argan and Olive Oil was something I bought on a whim, in order to qualify for free shipping on an online order.
YvesRocherTraditiondeHammamSoap2
It’s listed as $17 for a 5.3 oz. / 150 g bar, but I know that I paid less than half that price when I bought mine. That’s the thing to always keep in mind with Yves Rocher (YR): never ever pay full price for anything from there.  They constantly have sales and all the products go on sale in rotation.

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My favourite pre-made eye shadow palettes

~ stashy ~ 33 Comments

Maybe I’m being too loose with the term “palette” since most of my favourites are just quads – but I suppose they fall under the umbrella of palettes? To me, a palette is anything more than a duo – so trios, quads, and quints all qualify.  What I’m trying to say is that I do not like large scale pre-made palettes. I know that within a palette, I will always end up with at least one dud, and the more shades within a palette, the higher the odds are that I will end up with many duds (so no, I do not own any of the Urban Decay Naked palettes!)
premadepalettes1
My criteria for a good palette is one that I like most, if not all, of the shades, and one that I can create a nearly complete eye look from. They’re great for travelling and those days when I just want a one stop shop for my eye shadow look.  Here are my favourite pre-made eye shadow palettes.

Which palettes made the cut? Keep reading

PUFU update

~ stashy ~ 23 Comments

Earlier this year, I introduced my little project, called Project Use it the F*%@ Up! (or PUFU for short).  I had identified 2 products in my stash that I really love and enjoy using, however, they were neglected and risked spoilage before they were get used up.  So I set out on a mission to finish them up.
PUFU2
A quick re-cap:
1) Mirabella Outshine lip gloss in Illusion
It was at 1.40cm used up out of a total of 6.2cm (7.5ml total volume).

2) Stella by Stella McCartney eau de parfum
It had 1.10cm left in the bottle out of a total 4.60cm (30ml bottle).

So how did I do? Read more to find out

Grading skincare routines – part 2

~ stashy ~ 30 Comments

It was inevitable that after I posted the Grading my friends’ skincare routine entry that my other friends also wanted to have their routines reviewed.  I also had a reader asked me in the comments to review her skincare – which is very trusting of her! Below are their self-reported skincare routines.  My comments are in [italics].  Brace yourself, this is a wordy entry.  Again, as per my previous post’s disclaimer: I’m not a dermatologist or trained esthetician, I just play one online. 😀

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Shiseido Benefiance Instant Treatment Eye Mask

~ stashy ~ 26 Comments

Shiseido Benefiance Instant Treatment Eye Mask ($72 for 12 pairs) is something I’ve been curious about for a while since it has great reviews online.  They’re expensive, at $6 per treatment, so I’ve resisted buying them. One day, my co-worker (the one who gave me all the freebies) came to work and handed me a pack of these and said, “Try these, they’re amazing”.  She’s a skincare junkie (as well as facial treatment junkie – she does peels, lasers, light therapy, the like) so I tried it that same night and I was hooked from the first use!
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Guerlain Terra Azzurra Collection by Emilio Pucci

~ stashy ~ 12 Comments

Don’t get too excited, this isn’t a new Guerlain Terra Azzurra Collection by Emilio Pucci. This is from the Summer 2012 collection. I’m only 3 years too late on this. But I guess better later than never!  I bought the Terra Azzurra Bronzing Powder & Blush, and the Meteorites Perles d’Azur last December as a last hurrah before my yearlong No-Buy. These items, especially the Meteorites, have been on my wish list for, well, almost 3 years.

The Terra Azzurra Collection features the distinctive Pucci print, in tones of blues and greens, here’s a promotional image:
Guerlain-Emilio-Pucci-Terra-Azzurra-Meteorites
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I bought a $12 spray pump

~ stashy ~ 28 Comments

I was just itching to buy something at the MAC store.  I was at a mini-makeover a few weeks ago with my coworker and while she was making her purchases, I spied this:
MACpump2
It’s a spray pump.  I asked the makeup artist how much it was. $12 CAD ($10 USD).  Against my better judgement, I said, “I’ll take it.”  I’m now the proud owner of a $12 spray pump from MAC.

Yes I really bought a $12 piece of plastic