Mini Bourjois Haul & Product Review

Now that winter has arrived, our glamorous summer tans have begun to fade which means that it's time to update our foundation routines. In my case, I have to purchase all my foundation and concealer products in one shade lighter than what I normally wear during the summer. I also make the switch from mineral foundation which I normally use on hot summer days, to liquid foundation during the fall and winter seasons.

Pharmaprix, a Canadian drugstore also known as Shoppers Drug Mart, is currently having a promotion in which for every $50 purchase, customers would receive a $10 gift card to use for their next purchase. This promotion couldn't have come at a better time seeing as I was running low on my favorite Bourjois liquid foundation.

 Here's my drugstore haul!

Bourjois Haul:

• Bourjois: Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation (Shade 52 - Vanille)
• Bourjois: Healthy Balance Unifying Powder (Shade 52 - Vanille)
• Bourjois: Healthy Mix Radiance & Anti-Fatigue Correcting Concealer (Shade 51 - Eclat Claire)

The Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation (in the shade 52 - Vanille) is my absolute favorite liquid foundation in which I highly recommend. It gives great coverage, feels refreshing when applying, evens out all skin imperfections, gives an overall natural look, and is long-lasting. I've been using this foundation for a little over a year and I've never been disappointed. If you haven't tried this liquid foundation yet, I would definitely encourage you to do so as soon as possible, you won't regret it!

Here are some details from the Bourjois website:

"Healthy Mix Serum Foundation contains vitamin-gorged and anti-oxidising fruit to erase signs of fatigue, it evens out the complexion and revives its radiance.
Bourjois' 1st radiance-boosting fruit therapy foundation for a flawless complexion for up to 16hrs!

3 “super-fruits” are at the heart of this refreshing gel foundation - lychee, goji and pomegranate.

What is a super fruit? A “super-fruit” has an above-average nutritional profile compared with other fruit and an exceptionally rich anti-oxidant and vitamin content. The lychee, goji and pomegranate enhance the skin through repeated application thanks to its super-action:
- An instant, revitalising effect
- A refreshing and light sensation
- Radiance boosting shades

Its exquisite glide-on formula blends onto the skin for a flawless, yet natural finish.

And.. it's good for my skin!
- 8 hrs moisture
- Lets skin breathe
- Dermatologically tested

Price $27 Canadian"

The Healthy Balance Unifying Powder is a new favorite Bourjois product of mine. This is my first time purchasing this product, which is also new to the Bourjois collection, and I was definitely impressed with the quality. This pressed powder is great to set the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation, and gives an long-lasting matte and natural complexion. I'm actually tempted to go out and buy a second one (that's how much I love it!) What I also really like about this product is that it can easily fit in my purse in case I ever want to make any touch ups throughout the day.

Here are some details from the Bourjois website:

"HEALTHY BALANCE UNIFYING POWDER
10HR MATT AND RADIANT COMPLEXION

Give your skin a boost of radiance and even out that skin tone!

Enriched with exotic fruit therapy to restore and rebalance the skin:

• Yuzu - Anti-shine
• Sharon fruit - hydration
• Its ultra-fine texture is easy to blend and its feather-light feel will makes application easy!

Its slim compact casing and large mirror inside is an ideal handbag essential and perfect for touch-ups on the go!

Available in 3 natural shades suitable for all skin tones.

And it’s good for my skin:

• Hypoallergenic formula  
• Non comedogenic 
• Dermatologically tested
  $27 Canadian"

In addition to the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation and Healthy Balance Unifying Powder, I also purchased the Healthy Mix Radiance & Anti-Fatigue Correcting Concealer. Since I use the gel foundation in the shade 52, the best shade to get for the concealer would be a shade lighter (51 - Eclat Claire) as I have very dark circles under my eyes. This concealer gives excellent coverage with my dark circles, and is also long-lasting. This is definitely another new Bourjois favorite of mine! With the promotion going on in store, as the other two items added to a little over $50, I received a $10 gift card and was able to apply it on this concealer!

Here are some details from the Bourjois website:

"Bourjois’ new Healthy Mix fruit-therapy correcting concealer smoothes away dark circles and imperfections for a visibly rested and radiant look.
 
Its exquisite glide-on formula blends onto the skin for a natural result, with no marks.
Available in 3 natural anti-dull complexion shades, to reboost the complexion's radiance.

And.. it's good for my skin:

• Moisturising
• Lets skin breathe, oil-free formula
• Dermatologically tested

Price $19 Canadian"

In addition to my Bourjois purchases, the cashier was kind enough to include two fragrance samples of:

• Belle by Rhianna
• Angel by Thierry Mugler

Overall Impressions:

The Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation is my absolute favorite product in my entire collection. I've used it several times and have never been disappointed. I don't think that I'll ever change liquid foundation as long as I'm able to get my hands on this product. Regarding the Bourjois Healthy Balance Unifying Powder and the Healthy Mix Radiance & Anti-Fatigue Correcting Concealer, this was my first time purchasing these products and I'm so glad that I did! All these items compliment each other and by purchasing all three, I've improved my entire foundation routine. I highly recommend all three Bourjois products!

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Sephora Haul

Throughout this weekend, Sephora V.I.B. members are able to redeem a 20% Holiday shopping discount in stores.

I received this offer last week in through email, and couldn't wait to use this discount for an item I've been having my eye on. Today, I went ahead and redeemed the 20% off coupon to buy that item that I've been wanting.

I purchased the Sephora Favorites Lash Stash Kit and received a Sephora Hydrating Powder Blush sample at the cash during my checkout.

Here is an overview of the contents within the Lash Stash Kit which sells for $45 U.S.D. or $54 Canadian, with a total retail value of $133 U.S.D. or $159 Canadian.

The contents within the Sephora Favorites Lash Stash Kit include:
(From Left to Right)

• Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black (6 ml / 0.2 fl oz)
• stila Stay All Day Waterproof Volumzing Mascara (3.1 ml / 0.1 fl oz)
• Korres Volcanic Minerals Volumizing Mascara (3.8 ml / 0.128 fl oz)
• Benefit They're Real! Mascara (3 g / 0.10 oz)
• Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara (4 ml / 0.14 fl oz)
• Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara (2 ml / 0.068 fl oz)
• Clinique High Impact Mascara (4 g / 0.14 oz)
• tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! (5 ml / 0.169 fl oz)
• tarte multiplEYE Lash Enhansing primer (4.2 ml / 0.142 fl oz)
• Beautenizer Fiberwig (8.3 g / 0.29 oz)
• smashbox Full Exposure Mascara (11 g / 0.38 oz)

My Overall First Impressions:
One of my favorite aspects of the Sephora Favorites Lash Stash Kit, is that makeup lovers get to try out all these different higher end brands before committing to their full sizes. I also really appreciate that there are two full sized products within this kit, including smashbox Full Exposure Mascara which retails for $22 Canadian and Beautenizer Fiberwig which retails for $29 Canadian, and that the rest of the products are genuine deluxe samples. Buxom is my favorite mascara to date and having it included within this kit was definitely a bonus for me. The main reason for purchasing this kit was that I've heard great things about the other higher end brands and was curious to try them out for myself.

Although mascaras generally expire between 3-6 months after being opened, mascaras can be the main product within people's makeup collections that will continuously change throughout the year. I personally change my mascara quite often, even before they expire simply for hygiene purposes. I would definitely recommend this kit for those who want to try out more products before committing to their full sizes which can be quite pricey, and for those who change mascara as often as I do.

Please feel free to let me know your thoughts about the Sephora Favorites Lash Stash Kit or if you would like to link to your reviews and/or recent Sephora hauls. If you would like for me to review a particular item within this kit, please also mention it within your comments!

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MAC Haul & Collection!

Over the last year, MAC has definitely become one of my most reached for brands within my makeup collection. The more that I experiment with MAC products, the more I love the brand. The products are long-lasting, they give great pigment payoff, and the quality is unbelievable. I recently made a small MAC blush wishlist which I had intended to buy for myself, but today my mom decided to surprise me with an early Christmas gift. (THANK YOU MOMMY!) *SQUEE!*

In addition to sharing my MAC Haul/Gift here on the blog, I also wanted to share my entire MAC Collection that I hope you'll all enjoy. Before I continue, I just want to mention that I'm not posting this to brag in any way. Also, to avoid this post from getting too long, it will mostly contain pictures. I hope that's alright!

Here's my MAC Haul!

 

 

 

 

Here's my MAC Collection!

MAC COLLECTION OVERVIEW

LIPSTICKS:

EYE SHADOWS:

SMOKING PALETTE

BLUSHES:
(Also Seen Above in Haul)

EYE BROW PENCIL:

MINERALIZE SKINFINISH:

LIMITED EDITION ITEMS:

FASHION & MAGIC COLOR PALETTE

I ended up de-potting the eye shadows within this palette as I wanted to create my own custom palettes to fit in my makeup bag more conveniently.

 Some MAC ICE PARADE HOLIDAY 2011 COLLECTION items:

 

  

VIVA GLAM COLLECTION ITEM

Some SURF, BABY! COLLECTION items:

QUITE CUTE COLLECTION ITEM

I hope you all enjoyed seeing my MAC Haul and Collection! Please let me know if you would like for me to post a review for any specific items, and feel free to link to your own MAC Collection posts!

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Swap & Mini Haul!

After a few weeks of planning, I met up last Friday with one of my great friends Cindy - Cindy's Love of Books. Cindy adores makeup just as much as I do, so we decided to make it a breakfast and shopping day!

Me on the left, and my awesome friend Cindy on the right.
Photograph taken by Cindy - Cindy's Love of Books

We began our day with breakfast then hit the mall to let our shopping madness begin! 

Our first stop was Bath & Body Works because Cindy and I both had a coupon to redeem a free signature collection product with any purchase of $10 or more!

Here's a quick overview of my Bath & Body Works haul. I ended up purchasing a big Cider Lane candle that was on sale for 60% off. I couldn't resist the price as their regular sized candles regularly sell for $22 Canadian each. Cider Lane has a great fresh scent, I just wish I had purchased two! Next I bought two mini candle holders for $3 Canadian each, and finally, with the coupon Cindy and I both had, I got a free body lotion in Cashmere glow!

Our next stop was Sephora! I was really excited to go to Sephora with Cindy because there were a lot of products that I had wanted to recommend to her. Naturally, I wanted to purchase the entire store but luckily, I was able to stop myself from making a purchase as I had received a V.I.B. coupon that's only valid as of tomorrow. I did, however, take not of some awesome products that I plan on buying this weekend *whistles innocently*. Cindy did end up buying some great beauty goodies which you can see here: Cindy's Haul.

After Sephora, we made our way into a Lush as I desperately wanted to stock up on a few masks.

Here's a quick overview of my Lush haul. See below for details.

I'm a huge fan of Lush's Fresh Face Masks! After having already tried most of their Fresh Face Mask collection, my favorite would have to be Catastrophe Cosmetic. Here's a brief description from the Lush website:

"Prevent disasters by taking regular care with our deep cleaning blueberry mask, Catastrophe Cosmetic. The little blue bulbs are packed with vitamins, with a gentle calamine base to cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Use this one weekly as a deep cleansing treatment to kick off your regular skin care routine."

I always buy two Catastrophe Cosmetic masks because it's great for sensitive skin like mine and I use them up pretty quickly. I also bought another mask, BB Seaweed (Amalgame D'Alques in French) because I've heard great things and I was curious to try it out. This was my first time trying BB Seaweed, and I'm so glad that I did. BB Seaweed is definitely my new Lush Fresh Face Mask favorite! Here's a brief description from the Lush website:

"BB Seaweed is a best-seller for its ability turn every rough patch into smooth, supple skin. No surprises here, BB Seaweed is packed full of none other than the ocean greenery itself! Seven pounds of it in each batch, in fact. Finely ground almonds gently slough away dry skin, rose absolute balances skin tone and organic extra virgin olive oil moisturizes. Slather up in seaweed and feel your skin smile."

The Lush Fresh Face Masks sell for $6.95 Canadian each, and they come in individual black pots with 2.1 oz of product. What's also exciting about this product is that you can return 5 empty black pots in store and exchange them for a free mask.

The last product in my Lush haul was a Lush Charity Pot. Lush normally sells their Charity Pots in large formats for $22.95, however, they are currently selling smaller formats for $5. For those of you what are not familiar with this product, here is a brief description from the Lush website:

"Charitable cocoa butter cream that keeps on giving. Inside every black pot of Charity Pot is a whole lot more than a creamy body lotion to hydrate parched, dry skin. Of course, it’s filled with the finest ingredients, including Fair Trade organic cocoa butter, and made by hand with love. Not to mention the gorgeous fresh, ylang ylang floral fragrance. What makes it so special? Every penny (yes, every single penny) that you pay for a pot, excluding the tax, goes to fund and support grassroots charities all around the world. You end up with softer, floral-scented skin AND you’re doing a world of good with every pot purchased."

I'm not a big fan of the product itself, but I was happy to purchase one because the proceeds all go to a good cause.

A meetup wouldn't be complete without a swap so, before our meeting came to an end, Cindy and I agreed to surprise each other with some goodies!

These were some magazines Cindy had offered to me while she was downsizing her collection.

Cindy and I traded our copies of The Vicious Deep because I prefer trade paperback or ARC formats and she prefers hardcovers. Cindy also gave me two books that included short stories from my favorite author, Kelley Armstrong, and another ARC she had a double of.

Now comes the fun part everyone!
Here are the items Cindy gave me for our beauty product swap!

I was so excited when Cindy took out a cute gift bag and makeup bag filled with Cindy's favorite beauty products and samples! You can all just imagine the anticipation!

These are the products that Cindy had included within the gift bag!

• Clear Brow Gel by Anastasia
• Satin Sugar Glistening Dry Shampoo & Body Powder by Cake
• Satin Sugar Hair & Body Refreshing Powder by Cake
• Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser by Biore
• Touche Eclat by Yves Saint Laurent (Sample)
• Bye Bye Under Eye by It Cosmetics
• Vanilla Grapefruit Hand & Body Wash by SPAresource (Sample)
• Coconut Hand Cream by SPAresource (Sample)
• Vanilla Sugar Hand Cream by SPAresource (Sample)
• LIFTACTIV by Vischy (Sample)
• Hot Couture by Givenchy (Sample)
• Moisturize Foot Cream by SPAresource (Sample)
• Sweet Orange & Vanilla Body Butter by Amedaya (Sample)

These are the products that Cindy had included within the black makeup bag!

• Purifying Dead Sea Mud Mask "Mango" by Purederm
• Ultra Hydrating Shea Butter Mask "Olive Oil" by Purederm
• Deep Cleansing Peel-off Facial Mask by Eurospa
• Skin Firming Peel-Off Face Mask by Balea
• Detoxifying Face Mask by Balea
• Shimmering Body Scrub by Balea
• Airy Fairy Lipstick by Rimmel
• visiblecare Softening Body Wash by Dove
• Smooth Replenishing Lotion by Nivea
• Frizz-Ease Sheer Solution by John Frieda (Sample)
• So Laque Ultra Shine Nail Polish in 21 Cerise Noire by Bourjois
• Eye Make-Up Remover by Simple (Sample)
• 10 Travel Facial Towelettes by Yes to Cucumbers Skincare

I really can't wait to try everything out, Cindy really spoiled me with some awesome goodies!
If you're interested in seeing what I gave Cindy, check out her blog post here.

If you'd like for me to review any specific products in this post or if you'd like for me to check out some of your recent hauls, please feel free to leave a comment!

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