Here is my month long haul! I have shopped at Shopper's Drug Mart, London Drugs, Amazon, Winners, and Sephora - always looking for something new to try! I will be reviewing each product individually after I try it out for a month. Stay tuned!

PRODUCT LIST:


Nature's Gate Advanced Care:

• C for Yourself vitamin C texturizing Serum 
• Oh What a night Walnut Therapy for overnight renewal
• Have a vine day Chardonnay Hydrator for daytime

• Weleda WildRose cleansing lotion
• Biore Deep Cleansing Pore strips
• Vichy DermaBlend Ultra-Corrective Foundation Cream-Stick in Porcelain
• GlamGlow Mud Mask
• La Roche Posay Lipikar Balm 

La Roche Posay Effaclar giftset includes:

• Effaklar K moisturizer and makeup base
• Derm AHA
• Effaclar foaming Gel

• Lady Million fragrance by Paco Rabanne
• Sephora Color of the Year - Tangerine Tango Prisma Chrome Blush

The May 2012 Glymm box was a total surprise! Firstly, it's no longer in a box, but comes in a makeup bag, which looks a lot classier and can be re-used. However, I did enjoy having boxes and used them as storage. Secondly, their logo has been re-designed! It looks a lot more sophisticated and 'older.'
Note: There's been a price increase for new customers, perhaps due to the fact that we're now receiving makeup bags instead of boxes.

The highlight of this box/bag is definitely the high pigmented Cargo eye pencil in navy blue with golden sparkles! Ah! It's quite lovely and very soft.

The rest of the samples were quite small and I have already used them all up!

PRODUCT LIST:

• CK Shock for Her / I've used this up this weekend and it's very nice! I may buy it.
• CK Shock for Him / Also smells amazing
• COOLA Organic Suncare / Mineral Matter Cucumber Sunscreen / It's very matte and non greasy.
• NUME HydroPunch Hydrating Conditioner / It made my hair soft and silky. I'm intrigued!
• CARGO High Pigmented Pencil / Rich color, soft, but not smudge resistant. FULL SIZE.
• Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream / A high end exfoliator, that makes skin soft and refreshed.
• Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum / There wasn't enough product to test it out.
• Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet / Felt great on my skin, but again, not enough!

Overall this box gets a B! I was happy about the eyeliner.

If you would like to try it, click here.

 

I'm always happy when I've finally finished up the product, hit the bottom of the pan, and can toss out the empty packages!

This month I've finished up with the following:

• No7 Quick Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes by Boots - so gentle! I think I will repurchase.
• Olay Professional ProX Restorative Cream Cleanser - an excellent product worth buying again!
• Anti-Oxidant Oil Free Moisturizer by C. Booth DermaC24 - It's OK, but not amazing. I don't think I will buy a full sized product.
• AHAVA Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream - the scent is too strong.
• Joe Nude Blush Stick - this product barely showed up on my face, so I've used it as a highlighter. I will not buy this again.
• Moroccan Oil Treatment - 25ml and 50ml - one of my favourites and I have another bottle!
• Macadamia Natural Oil Nourishing Leave-in-Cream - excellent product that I may repurchase.
• Tarte Smooth Operator in Agent 04 - this tinted moisturizer is great and I may buy it in a lighter shade.
• YSL Parissiene and Chloe perfume samples - the Parisienne is lovely, but not the Chloe.
• Physicians Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick in Light - I love this product. It's definitely my go to concealer on a budget.
• Wella Professionals Brilliance Treatment for Fine/Colored Hair - Amazing stuff! I will buy this in full!
• Olay Luscious Embrace Moisturizing Body Wash - yes, it is definitely moisturizing and high quality.

This is a glamorous yet safe look I've done last week prior to going to a rock concert. The eyes were accomplished by using Pretty Punk eye shadow palette by POP beauty, paired with a neutral gloss by Mai Couture in Sake Sunrise that I've received in one of my Glymm boxes.

PRODUCTS USED:
Pretty Punk eye shadow palette by POP beauty - eyes and eyeliner
Hide Your Blemish concealer / Rimmel / Ivory 001
M. Asam Magic Fini perfector
The Balm Hot Mama blush
My Blackest Lashes mascara by Prestige
Clinique bottom lash mascara
Anastasia Beverly Hills clear brow gel
Fusion Beauty IllumiCover in Pale
Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream in #13
Mai Couture Lip Gloss in Sake Sunrise
Hair: Macadamia Healing Oil Spray

The Aloe Replenishment Gel by Naturopathica was developed and refined at a healing arts center in East Hampton, NY. The products that Naturopathica designed are certified natural and organic, which makes me  believe that this is in fact a high quality product.


I've been using this gel for about 3 months, so I can confidently say that it does what it says it does! - it plumps up my skin.


Here is an overview of the product based on the information given on their official website:

• Anti-inflammatory desert succulents such as Aloe Vera and Prickly Pear Cactus provide moisture-binding properties while Hyaluronic Acid plumps the skin. 
• HERO INGREDIENT: Aloe Vera Leaf Juice: Prevents redness and inflammation caused by UVB rays by repairing damage to the skin’s natural immune system, thereby preventing premature aging of the skin. Aloe Vera also assists in repairing collagen, often damaged by the release of destructive enzymes caused by chronic inflammation.
• HYALURONIC ACID: Derived from yeast extract, plumps the skin by helping cells retain water.  
• PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS STEM EXTRACT: Rich in essential amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants and water-binding polysaccharides, this botanical hydrates, soothes and protects from environmental stress by blocking the release of stress markers from sensory nerve cells in the skin. Prickly Pear has excellent hydrating properties due to its high content of water-binding compounds.
• GOTU KOLA EXTRACT: Strong wound healing abilities by increasing the level of antioxidants in newly formed tissue.

 This gel's consistency is light, non-greasy, and cooling. To use it properly, you would first need to thoroughly cleanse your face and follow the instructions on the packaging:

• Aloe Replenishment Gel can be used as a treatment mask or a leave on product.
• Apply a thin layer to clean skin. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse, if desired. Repeat as needed.
• For increased anti-inflammatory benefits, keep in refrigerator and apply cool gel as needed.

PROS:

• Skin feels plump and a lot smoother - like an instant facelift!
• Doesn't cause breakouts
• Suitable for all skin types - including acne-prone like mine!
• Refreshing and moisturizing
• No strong smell or added fragrances

CONS:
Expensive - the cost is $48 for 60 mL / 2 oz - although, it will last for a long time

Value: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
Packaging: 5/5
Price: $$$

Overall: 4.5/5 

Would I use it again? YES!

Wow! Another amazing box from Glossy Box Canada. In the April edition, I've received samples from respected brands, and of high quality products, with many being full-sized. If you haven't tried a sampling service like Glossy Box Canada, you should definitely try it now.

In April's box, I have received these wonderful products:

• Full size: Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer - $22.99
• Full size: Elizabeth Grant Skin Care Shower Gel - $20.00
• Well Brilliance Conditioner Fine to Normal
• Wella Brilliance Treatment Fine to Normal
• Full size: Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara - $12.50
• Bonus: Marcelle BB Cream Beauty Balm

The Aveeno moisturizer is quite good, and I've used it many times before - it's an excellent choice for the box! Elizabeth Grant shower gel also looks amazing - and I can't wait to try it. It's foamy, with a delightful fragrance that captures style in every person. Wow.

I have never tried Wella products, so, that will be fun. I definitely love trying new hair products. The Wella Brilliance line contains diamond dust! Will my hair shine?

The Marcelle mascara is NEW and meant to give your lashes extra length and curl. Marcelle is a Canadian company with a good reputation and excellent, high quality products. I am sure that I will not be disappointed.

Overall, this box gets an A! It came with a variety of products from skincare and hair to makeup. It really is almost perfect.

In April 2012 edition of Harper's Bazaar, I've found a few interesting articles that revealed many secrets about maintaining youthful skin. Here are some of the secrets, or well, not so much of a secret anymore! I hope you will find this information useful.

• The most important rule is to use sunscreen all year round. Then you wouldn't worry about sun damage nearly as much. But if you've already experienced some damage:
  
• Using a mild retinoid in a moisturizing base at night can boost collagen production and fight dark circles and crow's feet.
• Puffy eyes? Try caffeine-containing eye creams. Other ingredients that may help: green tea, chamomile or aloe.
• Big pores? Try a salicylic acid peel to cleanse your pores and fractional non-ablative lasers to help tighten them. 
• Saggy skin? A lot of people claim that Olay Regenerist helps, and only costs $24.99 for a sculpting cream. I think I may try it!
• Pigmentation? Look for products with these ingredients: licorice root, niacin, kojic acid, soy and vitamin C all help treat pigmentation. 

Diet Secrets:

• Go easy on the grilling. Choose lowered-heat cooking methods such as steaming, poaching or using a slow cooker.
• Veggies need backup. Eat veggies and fruits together for a more powerful antioxidant effect. Think: orange, grape, and blueberries.
• Drink coffee, tea, and water instead of hard liquor or sugary juices.
• Eat pure dark chocolate. Avoid processed chocolates and candy is your enemy.
• Exercise is powerful. Workout harder, not longer. To get the most benefits, the truth is that exercise should be hard. 
• Sleep 8 hours a day. Beauty sleep is not a myth!

My April edition Glymm box arrived just a few days ago. I must say that I wasn't all that impressed. The products are lovely, but looked a lot smaller than my previous boxes. I will give it one more month, possibly two before I unsubscribe.

The highlight of the box was definitely Mai Couture Social Gloss in Sake Sunrise. This luxurious lipgloss, that retails for $28, fills in unwanted lines and creates fuller lips.

The Lucia soaps I already own, in fact, I payed $5 for a set of 14 samples of the same size that I've found on sale at Chapters. I'm a thrifty shopper who loves a good deal! :)

The cologne is absolutely lovely! It really smells like real oranges. Fresh oranges! I'd love to have it, but it is quite pricy, and instead, I think I would want to invest in another perfume set, something sexy like Paco Rabanne Lady Million! :)

Inside the box:

• Lucia Soap in No.1 / Goat Milk & Linseed Soap / 25g
• Atelier Cologne / Orange Sanguine Fragrance / 1ml
• Free Your Mane / Sulfare Free Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner / 7.4ml each
• Mai Couture Social Gloss in Sake Sunrise / Fullsize 5ml / worth $28
• BONUS: $100 OFF Styling Tools and Hair Extensions at NuMe online store.

It's finally getting warm and I'm about to start wearing bright lipstick! This look I created a few days ago. It was a take on the 70s plus a hint of color using MAC lipstick in Morange. I love the bright color. It's definitely very spring/summer. Plus, I am wearing a cute Forever 21 hairband - fun!

PRODUCT LIST:

• Missha M BB Cream in #13
• Everyday Minerals Blush in Girl's Day
• Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch
• Everyday Minerals Eye shadows in Butterfly Kisses and Floating Feathers
• Everyday Minerals Pearl Eyes Eye Shadow in Room Addition - as eyeliner
• Maybelline Falsies Mascara - Black and Flared
• Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
• MAC Amplified lipstick in Morange

I love Winners! And although their stores can be quite messy, I always find amazing brands for half the price.

Here are my latest finds:

FusionBeauty / SculptDiva Contouring Blush in Crave / $6.99
This product, a silky cream-to-powder blush that glides on effortlessly for the most natural flush of color. Infused with rosebud extracts, it helps to reduce the appearance of pores on cheeks and hydrates with advanced skin conditioners. This double-duty cheek color delivers a concentrated dose of Amplifat™ for visibly firmer, more youthful-looking cheeks in 28 days.

FusionBeauty / IllumiCover Smoothing Concealer in Pale / $9.99
Its luminizing ingredients deliver a brighter, more youthful complexion.

Plump Lips by Freeze 24-7 / $9.99
This stuff really works! I've had it for the last 3 years and it's amazing!

Amir Argan Oil Facial Moisturizer / $12.99
This product is enriched with argan oil and acai berry which helps to improve the appearance of fine lines and combat the signs of premature aging. And smells amazing!