Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Givenchy Lunar New Year 2018 ~ Prisme Libre + Le Rouge

In honour of Lunar New Year, Givenchy has taken two of its best sellers and adorned them with limited edition packaging. Prisme Libre Powder in 01 Mousseline Pastel and Le Rouge Lipstick in 305 Rouge Égérie. The formulas remain the same, just the packaging has changed!

prisme libre 01 mousseline le rouge lipstick 305

Prisme Libre Powder in 01 Mousseline Pastel ($69) is a made-to-measure, colour correcting loose powder. It features 4 different pastel hues that complement each other, leaving the skin with a radiant yet matte finish. To use, you gently shake the container (with the lid closed) and then apply with the included puff or a fluffy powder brush.

givenchy prisme libre powder 01 mousseline pastel

If you've never used Prisme Libre, you need to get your hands on this! It's finely milled, sets makeup beautifully and leaves skin matte, but radiant. The opal effect makes my skin look almost ethereal and almost flawless. It really is unlike any other powder I've ever tried.

prisme libre powder 1 mousseline pastel

The LE Lunar  New Year edition features an imitation leather lid that has a vibrant, and extremely eye catching, red floral print. It also has a customized puff. Kudos to you if you can use the puff - I can't bring myself to dirty it 🙈

givenchy prisme libre powder 1 mousseline pastel
If you can't get your hands on the LE version, I still highly recommend you pick up the original - you won't be disappointed! It's available in a few different shades for deeper skin tones too.

givenchy beauty prisme libre powder 01 mousseline

Givenchy Le Rouge in 305 Rouge Égérie ($45) is a stunning coral-red shade that is not too bright nor too dark. It's literally perfect 🙌

givenchy le rouge lipstick 305 rouge egerie

First of all, the packaging..oh my! The cap features the same red floral pattern, but it's printed on genuine leather. I can't even begin to explain the sensory experience - it's smooth and sensual. The luxe cap isn't the only special feature either - just look at that embossed lipstick. Stunning!!

givenchy le rouge lipstick 305 rouge egerie emboss

Beautiful packaging aside, this lipstick has to be one of the most luxurious and comfortable lipsticks out there. It's creamy, pigmented and glides onto my lips with ease. The finish is demi-matte and it wears for a long time - much longer than most bullet style lipsticks. Even after back-to-back coffees and a light lunch, it's still there. When it does fade, it does so gracefully and evenly.

le rouge lipstick 305

This beauty is only $2 more than the regular Le Rouge Lipstick in the same shade and it's worth every penny.

givenchy le rouge lipstick lunar new year edition 305

What I love about this collection is that it's only LE packaging and not products. There's nothing worth than falling in love with something that's limited edition, only to be  unable to repurchase it. Are these products budget friendly? Not really. But they certainly are special and have withstood the test of time. Besides, don't we all deserve a little pampering sometimes?


You can find these beauties in-store and online at Sephora 💕




*press samples were generously provided for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own.





Thursday, January 25, 2018

Givenchy Teint Couture Balm Blurring Foundation

One of the biggest trends coming this spring in makeup is a fresh and natural complexion. The no makeup, makeup look with an emphasis on glow. Well actually more of a glossy look.. but we'll save that topic for another post 😉

Givenchy Beauty Foundation Review + Swatches

To achieve the look you need to start with a good base. The idea is to cover imperfections, while allowing your skin to peek through. In other words, pass on the full coverage foundation and opt for light to medium coverage instead.

Givenchy Beauty Foundation Swatch

Givenchy recently launched a few new foundations in Canada that have been very successful in the US. Today, I'm sharing my thoughts on Givenchy Teint Couture Balm Blurring Foundation ($58, 30ml). I'm also swatching every single shade!

Givenchy Beauty Foundation Review

Before I get into my review, I have a few things I need to get off my chest. For starters, I really love this foundation! But...the shade range is terrible. There's currently only 8 shades available. That means a whole group of people won't get to try this foundation, and that's a shame because it's good. Like really good.

Givenchy Beauty Foundation Review + Swatches

To put it in perspective, I'm usually considered 'light' with warm yellow undertones. I wear 2W1 in Double Wear in the spring/fall and Y225 in MUFE in the dead of winter . I'm currently wearing 1 Nude Porcelain, the fairest shade of Givenchy Teint Couture Balm Blurring Foundation. On the flipside, I can totally see myself wearing the darkest shade in the summer when I have a deep (faux) tan. So if you're super fair or deeper than medium, you probably won't be able to find a match.

Givenchy Beauty Foundation Review + Swatches

Shade selection aside, the formula is amazing! It has a beautiful fragrance to it (seriously, Givenchy always smells good) and the packaging is luxe. I'm a huge fan of the squeezable tube - it stays clean and keeps it fresh longer.

As the name would suggest, Givenchy Teint Couture Balm Blurring Foundation has the texture of a balm with the coverage of a foundation. It's on the thicker side, but easily spreadable. A little goes a long way and it's definitely best to apply it with your fingertips. I find that it just melts into my skin when I use my fingers. As much as I love my brushes, it feels so organic to apply foundation by fingertip!

Givenchy Beauty Foundation Review + Swatches 1 Nude Porecelain 2 Nude Shell 3 Nude Sand 4 Nude Beige 5 Nude Honey 6 Nude Gold 7 Nude Ginger 8 Nude Amber
Shades 1 & 5 have warm, yellow undertones
Shades 2 & 4 have cool, pink undertones
Shade 3 has a neutral balance 
Shades 6 & 8 have gold undertones
Shade 7 has caramel undertones

Although you can build this foundation up, you really don't need to. I find it evens me out and covers any small bumps and spots perfectly fine with one layer. I have applied a second layer, and it still looked good. If you have a pesky zit or serious dark circles, you're going to need concealer.

Givenchy Beauty Foundation Review + Swatches 1 Nude Porecelain 2 Nude Shell 3 Nude Sand 4 Nude Beige 5 Nude Honey 6 Nude Gold 7 Nude Ginger 8 Nude Amber
Shades 1 & 5 have warm, yellow undertones
Shades 2 & 4 have cool, pink undertones
Shade 3 has a neutral balance 
Shades 6 & 8 have gold undertones
Shade 7 has caramel undertones

Givenchy Teint Couture Balm Blurring Foundation has a radiant and natural finish. It doesn't accentuate dry patches - unless they're super flaky. It feels so damn lightweight that I can't feel it at all which I love. To extend the wear time, I apply it on top of hydrated and primed skin and set it lightly with powder.

I'm so happy to have discovered this foundation and I'm not kidding when I say I love it. I've been wearing it every day and I don't see that changing anytime soon!


You can find Givenchy Teint Couture Balm Blurring Foundation online at sephora.com

Givenchy Beauty Foundation SwatchGivenchy Beauty Foundation Swatch

Givenchy Beauty Foundation SwatchGivenchy Beauty Foundation Swatch

Givenchy Beauty Foundation SwatchGivenchy Beauty Foundation Swatch

Givenchy Beauty Foundation SwatchGivenchy Beauty Foundation Swatch


*PR samples were generously provided for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own!




Thursday, January 18, 2018

Monthly Watch Club

I'm a huge fan of subscription boxes. They give you the chance to try new products at an often discounted price, and can force you out of your comfort zone (trying new colours, textures, styles).

Women's Watch

I've only ever had beauty subscriptions, so when I was approached by the Monthly Watch Club to try their subscription, I was beyond excited!

For as little as $33 CAD a month, you will receive a brand new, custom watch. The Monthly Watch Club will never send you the same watch twice, and the watch is yours to keep. They work with watch makers around the world to provide you with an amazing watch at an affordable price.

There are a few different subscription options available.



Month to month (no commitment, cancel anytime) $39.99 CAD

3 Month Prepay (try it for 3 months) $114.99 CAD

6 Month Prepay (less than $37 per month) $219.99 CAD

12 Month Prepay (only $33 per month + includes a free watch box) $395.99 CAD


There is a shipping fee of $7 CAD to orders within Canada and $15 everywhere else (Monthly Watch Club ships worldwide). All orders ship on the 1st of the month from Calgary, Alberta and should arrive by the 15th. All of the watches have a 100 day limited warranty - I'm not sure what the terms are, but this is a pretty generous time frame!


The watch I received is not only beautiful, but well made. The movement is fluid and the band is comfortable. This is a watch that I will be wearing allll the time come spring.
With subscriptions available for both women and men, this would make a perfect gift.



For more information, or to purchse a subscription, visit monthlywatchclub.ca





Press sample(s) were generously provided to me for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Crawford Street Skin Care

Welcome back beauties! I've got another green beauty review to share with you all. Today we're talking about Crawford Street Skin Care*, a brand that proudly manufactures their products in Toronto 🙌


"Crawford Street Skin Care came from the desire to create products with natural ingredients that were sophisticated and luxurious.  Products that not only enhanced your natural beauty, but were themselves beautiful and natural.  We wanted to draw on the beauty treatments and knowledge of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers. Anti-aging might be a twentieth century word but it’s an age-old concept!  Men and women have been using natural ingredients to nourish their skin for centuries, and at Crawford Street, we're continuing that tradition." 
/source


Crawford Street Skin Care creates products that are holistic; with natural ingredients and packaging that's eco-friendly. They also offer a selection of vegan products and all of their products are cruelty-free. I haven't tried many green beauty products, so I can't compare them that way. I can, however, compare them to 'traditional' products 😉


"Crawford Street Skin Care products are 100% natural. They are free of petrochemical derivatives, such as mineral oil and petroleum, PEGs, Parabens, DEA, Sodium laurel sulphate, artificial dyes and fragrances, chemical preservatives." /source/

I've been wanting to switch to natural deodorant for years but never managed to take that leap. In all honesty, I really only wear deodorant in the summer. Thankfully, I don't need it most of the year! Anyways, when given the opportunity to test out Crawford Street Skin Care's Cream Deodorant, I jumped on it!



Woods Cream Deodorant is available in two sizes; 30ml ($10) and 60ml ($18). It's 100% vegan and doesn't contain aluminum, propylene glycol, phthalates or parabens. What it does contain is a trio of essential oils that are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and deodorizing and cornstarch to absorb wetness. This deodorant kind of reminds me of a Christmas tree, and I'm not about it. A dime sized amount is all that's needed for each underarm and it lasts quite a few hours. It's definitely not the same as using your regular drugstore deodorant, but it's pretty darn good.

Neroli + Frankincense Body Lotion ($28, 240 ml) is a light, daily moisturizer that's 100% vegan. This lotion isn't overly fluid, but it's not too thick either (aka perfect texture). The scent is light and not as overpowering as the name could suggest. In fact, I almost find it too light. When you hear frankincense, you expect it to be strongly scented. My nose really only picks up orange, and it's very mild. Personally, I would have enjoyed a stronger scent- I love fragrance! Anyways, it spreads easily and takes a few minutes to absorb. Once absorbed, my skin stays hydrated for the whole day - even during this bitter cold.

Frankincense Hand Cream ($40, 120 ml / $25 60 ml) is a super rich cream that contains frankincense and myrrh to rejuvenate and lemon and lavender to nourish and protect. This hand cream has a light, natural scent and it's non-greasy. A little goes a looong way, which means this fun will last me well into spring. I find it takes a few minutes to absorb, but when it does, my skin feels great. This has been a staple of mine this winter and for once, my hands aren't chapped.

Cuticle Serum ($25, 7.4 ml) has been pivotal in keeping my mani's looking fresh this winter. This cuticle serum contains lots of omega fatty acids, protein  and vitamin enriched oils to effectively hydrate and promote healthy nails and cuticles. It's also 100% vegan! I like to apply it before bed so that I get a solid 8 hours of it soaking in uninterrupted. I also apply it after my at home manicures. Love it!


I'm actually in love with Crawford Street Skin Care's Rose Geranium Toner ($25, 60ml / $40 120 ml). Admittedly, I often skip toning because I can't be bothered to take out the cotton rounds, swipe it on and wait for it to dry. I already double cleanse, use a few serums, moisturize and apply sunscreen. Sounds ridiculous, but it's true. Anyways, this toner is in a spray bottle (a glass one 😍) which makes it so much easier for me to want to use it. It has a light rose scent and it dries almost instantly - a total win. The ingredients are simple and beneficial - rose water, aloe and lavender to soothe, geranium to balance and witch hazel to revitalize. I would carry this everywhere, but knowing me I would end up breaking it in my bag.

Last but certainly not least, is the Sandalwood Aftershave Cream ($35, 120 ml). This 100% vegan aftershave cream is soothing, moisturizing and protecting. It contains skin healthy ingredients such as bitter orange oil (natural anti-inflammatory), grapefruit seed oil (natural anti-septic) and aloe vera to keep your skin in tip-top shape after shaving. This unisex aftershave cream helps to calm irritated skin, prevent bumps and tones skin. It has a very light and natural scent that doesn't linger and it leaves my skin feeling calm. I feel like this is a product that some ladies may overlook, which is a shame because it feels so good on freshly shaven skin. If you have sensitive skin that's prone to irritation after shaving, I highly recommend you check this out.


I'm seriously impressed by Crawford Street Skin Care! Their products are simple yet effective, and their packaging is absolutely stunning. I appreciate that they're local and that they make their products in small batches. If you're looking to clean up your beauty routine, I highly suggest checking them out.

For more information, points of sale or to purchase their products, visit www.crawfordskincare.com


*Press samples were generously provided to me for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Introduction to Maison Jacynthe

Happy New Year beauties! January brings the promise of a fresh start and a chance for change. Some of us set fitness goals, while others focus on their careers or personal relationships. Perhaps some of you would like transition into using natural aka 'green beauty' products - if so, then this post is for you!


Maison Jacynthe is a cruelty-free, natural makeup and skincare company from Quebec. They offer a variety of products from skincare, to personal care, to makeup and fragrance. I was fortunate to receive three products to review (lipstick, blush and eyeshadow) and I'm quite happy with them!


Fard À Joues in 01 Roméo ($29.50) is my new winter blush. It's literally the perfect shade for winter - it mimics the natural flush you would get stepping in from the cold. This blush has a very interesting scent to it - it's almost like a cinnamon scented baby powder. Hard to explain, but it smells unique and really nice. Fard À Joues doesn't come in a compact, but rather a large square pan. You can purchase a compact from Maison Jacynthe or stick it in a z palette.



Rouge À Lèvres  Bordeaux Mate 02 ($33) has quickly become a favourite of mine. The packaging is seriously trendy eco chic metal meets wood tube. Not only does it look stunning, but it has a nice weight to it and it's comfortable to hold and apply. The shade I selected (02 Bordeaux) is a beautiful, matte, warm burgundy colour that screams winter and fall. It has some serious pigment to it, so one swipe is all that's needed to achieve opaque coverage. It feels creamy, comfortable and hydrating on my lips and it doesn't highlight dry patches. I love it!




Fard À Paupières 17 Lait d'Or ($22) is a pretty light gold shade that I can see myself using as a highlighter. It's a pale gold, shimmery shade and that contains glitter, but it's not a glitter bomb. I found that it was more shimmer than pigment, and it really didn't show up well on my bare lids. In order for it to be noticeable, I had to apply it either over primer or wet. I feel like the lack of pigment has more to do with this particular shade, combined with my light skin tone. I'm definitely interested in trying another shade to see if I'm right.



You can find Maison Jacynthe products online at maisonjacynthe.ca and I'm select spas/stores in Quebec (refer to the website to find locations).

Have you tried anything from Maison Jacynthe? What is your fave green beauty company? Let's chat in the comment section below 👇


*Press samples were generously provided to me for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own.