It Cosmetics CC+ Radiance Ombre Bronzer - Review and Swatch

I have had this bronzer for quite some time. So much so that it appears that mine is in the old packaging. The packaging is similar, just the name on the lid is different. I am not aware that there are multiple shades of this product but mine says Warm Radiance. I just checked Ulta's website and there is no mention of the shade or shades available - it looks like a one size fits all compact. I purchased mine from the Shopping Channel ages ago. I think I got it on sale, possibly with a free brush, but I don't recall for how much. It retails for $34 U.S. at Ulta.

This product to me is very pro and con. One pro is the amount of product that you get - 16.17g or 0.57 oz. It's huge. This may seriously last me the rest of my life. I can barely hold the compact in the palm of my hand! If you want to put things in perspective, a full sized compact of a Becca highlight is 8g or 0.28 oz. So this is double the size.

I like the fact that this product has a dual purpose, a 2 in 1 if you like. Highlight and bronzer in one place. Hello....why does no one else do this except in a big palette format? Makes perfect sense to me. It's a definite plus. You would think this would make the product ideal for travel but it doesn't because the compact is so darn big!

I have to say this is not one of my favourite bronzers. It is super shimmery. Not everyone wants a disco ball bronzer. The highlight is even more shimmery of course. I actually tend to use the highlight more often than the bronzer in this compact. It's not my favourite highlight either, but it's quick and easy to use if I'm in a rush. It's hard to over do it with this product, but it is definitely well pigmented. The bronzer is somewhat universal so I think fair to medium skin could pull it off. It's not too warm and it's not too cool.

Would I repurchase this? Probably not. I say that for two reasons. One because I will never hit pan on this product, it's just so big! Two because I have bronzers and highlighters that I prefer to this one. Considering the price point of many high end bronzers and highlighters these days, this compact is some serious value for your money as a 2 in 1 considering the amount of product you get. If you don't mind shimmery bronzer and don't have a huge makeup stash, this product could be right for you.

The packaging strikes me as a little cheap - drug store quality. Call me picky, but that is what I think.

This product goes on easily. It blends well and never looks cakey. Texture is soft and creamy. 

Here are the swatches. Highlight on the left and bronzer portion on the right.

Packaging: 4/10  

Pigmentation: 7/10
Easy to Work With: 9/10
Longevity: 9/10
Colour Stays True: 10/10
Texture: 9/10
Price: 10/10 (for what you get)
Ingredients: 9/10
Travel Worthy: 4/10
Attractiveness of Product: 7/10
Would I buy this again? Not Likely
Overall Rating: 7.5/10



I'm back! Makeup Geek Pan Porn

Okay, I am officially the horse's ass and there is no way around it. I haven't posted a blog in just over 2 months. I am so sorry friends. Was I in an accident, was there a family tragedy or did I lose my desire to blog? None of the above. I just got super busy and I let things slide a lot. I was away for two weeks in August - I went to Florida for a few days and then went on a cruise. Work has been bananas. I have had a number of social engagements in my spare in time and I have been doing some major spring cleaning. I got on a roll with the cleaning and I didn't want to stop. Rest assured, I threw out no makeup that wasn't "empty" or had spoilt. I'm not that crazy.

So I am back and will do my best to remain back. I have two courses I need to take for work this Fall and I have to be very regimented about budgeting my time, so I plan on actually scheduling in some blogging time each week among other things. I've got a bunch of new makeup and some old favourites and I am dying to chat with you about all of it!  I apologize from the bottom of my heart for being away. I missed you all and I hope you missed me even if only a little.

Quick post today. I have another 4 lined up over the coming days and I will make it happen if it kills me! Lots of empties coming up by the end of the week! It'll be a quarterly empties post. I really have let things slip...

I have a little pan porn I wanted to show you. Both are Makeup Geek (MUG) eyeshadows. In the picture above, I have Vanilla Bean on the left and Rockstar on the right. Even though I have hit pan on both, I feel totally different about them. I would like to start off by saying that I reach for Makeup Geek eyeshadows more often than I realize and I love most of them. There are some misses, but overall it is a fantastic line at a fantastic price. These are the first two MUG eyeshadows that I have hit pan on.

Some of you who have read my previous blogs may know that I never cared for Vanilla Bean. The shade is good, it's a great neutral, wash of colour eyeshadow etc. I just think the pigmentation isn't very good. Considering how solid most of Makeup Geek's eyeshadows are in terms of pigmentation, I am mystified with Vanilla Bean. I would like to note that this pan was purchased soon after Makeup Geek launched their eyeshadow line, so perhaps they have improved the formula on this one. I hope so. It has become a mission for me to finish this shade and move on to other similar shades in my collection. I really have to pack on this colour to get a good amount on my lid. I do not plan to repurchase this shade unless Makeup Geek has reformulated it. Makeup Geek's Baby Face, for example, has much better pigment. It is a slightly similar colour but more cool and grey pink. Not as brightening though.  

On to Rockstar. I wasn't sure I was going to like this colour when I first bought it, but I love it. When you have no idea what to slap on your lids, this is the ticket. It goes with so much and you can just add some black liner and mascara and you are good to go. I tend to use this shade at least 2-3 times a week. Great for work. Fantastic pigmentation. Lasts all day, blends in nicely with your lid if you are fair. Doesn't look obnoxious and is so versatile. I will be repurchasing Rockstar and looks like I need to do that soon.

Okay, that's it! I am actually going to work on another blog post for tomorrow so I better scoot.  



bareMinerals Lasting Line Long-Wearing Eyeliner in Endless Orchid - Review and Swatch

I got this eyeliner sort of free as a birthday promotion from bareMinerals online. I had to order something else, but essentially I got this eyeliner for free. Normally, this eyeliner retails for $16 U.S. I am going to say right off of the bat that I really don't like this eyeliner. bareMinerals is either hit or miss for me. I love their Ready pressed products but a lot of the other ones leave a heck of a lot to be desired.

This eyeliner does not apply easily. I really have to press to get the product to apply to my lash line. The product skips during application and I have to go over the same area repeatedly. Most days I don't have time for this type of messing around. No matter how much I apply, it never looks like I have a lot on. What little that does go on seems to stay on most of the day. I guess that is something! For some reason, the eyeliner applied just fine to the inside of my arm as you can see in the swatch below. It's not that dark nor pigmented though.

There isn't much else to say about this eyeliner. Oh, it doesn't transfer, so that's another plus. Won't be trying any more of these. There is a sponge tip on one end if you would like to smudge out what little you can get on your lash line.

If any of the other colours in this line are better, I'd love to know if it's just this shade, Endless Orchid. Please leave a comment below if you happen to have any experience with these liners.

Packaging: 8/10  

Pigmentation: 4/10
Easy to Work With: 0/10
Longevity: 6.5/10
Colour Stays True: 10/10
Texture: 7/10
Price: 5/10 (for what you get)
Ingredients: 9/10
Travel Worthy: 10/10
Attractiveness of Product: 4/10
Would I buy this again? NO WAY
Overall Rating: 5/10

May/June 2016 Empties

I can't believe I haven't posted a blog in nearly a month. For those of you who were wondering, I am not dead. I have been incredibly busy the last month. I have been swamped at work and we had a family wedding so things have been rather crazy. I didn't get around to posting my May empties so I figured I would combine them with my June empties. I have quite a bit of stuff as you can see. A lot of standard favourites, but a few one offs. Let's get to it.

Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Serum - Another one finished. Already repurchased two. This previously made my blog list of the Top 10 products that I can not live without. I still feel the same way about this product. 

Klorane Floral Water Make-Up Remover - I talk about how much I love this product all of the time. Nothing compares. I'm going to shut up now. Running to repurchase stat. 

Savon a L'Ancienne Extra Pur Marseille "Coton" or Liquid Marseille Soap "Cotton" - I love these hand soaps. Verbana is one of my favourite scents. I think Cotton was good but it's no Verbana. This is simply my favourite hand soap and I have to secure more asap. 

Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner - Another one bites the dust. I've mentioned before I have a cupboard full of this stuff as I am on Wen's mailing list. I really like this product but I get bored of it sometimes so it takes me awhile to finish one as I sub in other things. Also, my ends really need more conditioning than this provides so I switch it up with other products as a result. It detangles like nothing else though so I keep using it. (review here)


Estee Lauder Double Wear Light in 2.0 -  Another one bites the dust. It's my fave and I keep going back to it. Nothing compares. Already repurchased a bottle.

L'Occitane Dry Skin Foot Cream - This stuff is fantastic. Went through two travel sizes the last couple of months (small and mini). Already repurchased. (review here)


Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara Already repurchased again....enough said.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair - Another one bites the dust. I can't stop using this and I have a 100 samples so I have never had to buy the full size! It does seem to make a difference most mornings when I look in the mirror versus when I don't use it. My makeup looks better the next day too after use.


Nivea Pure & Natural Body Lotion Organic Argan Oil is good stuff. This may have been my fourth bottle. I already have a fifth bottle.


Origins Eye Doctor - no clue how many of these I have used. Countless. I keep going back to it. (review here)


REN Clean Skincare Global Protection Day Cream - this was my first full sized bottle that I finishes. I do like this but it works better in summer as sometimes it isn't enough moisture for my taste in deep, dark winter. I would totally by this again. (review here)


Sigma Beauty Persuade Eye Shadow Base I cannot tell you what a sick thrill I got out of finally finishing this. I have had it for what, two years or maybe longer? It became my mission in life to finish every last drop of it. It's no where near as good as MAC's Painterly Paint Pot. (review here)


Givenchy Noir Couture Volume Mascara in Black Taffeta Not my favourite, but it was ok. (review here) 


The Body Shop Camomile Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover This stuff is total rubbish. It's only good for the trash as they say. Don't even bother to look at this. It was bad 20 years ago and remains so. Who keeps buying this? At least my excuse is that I got it in Christmas bonus set. (review here)




I have an eyeliner and a long overdue palette to review coming up next. I will seriously try to be a bit more consistent over the next few weeks with my blog posts.

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in 16 Black Honey - Review and Swatch

I have this pile of empties from May and I really need do a blog post on them asap. I am so behind in everything this month. I also have a Bobbi Brown palette that I have been meaning to review for like a month. Next two posts, promise.

On to the matter at hand. Today I have a review on the Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in 16 Black Honey. I have a small sized tube that I got from Sephora I think as a promotion or with rewards points or something. Mine is 0.17 oz. or 5ml. The regular sized tube is 0.5 oz. and is $21 Canadian or $16.50 U.S. I have been using my little tube almost nonstop for 2 months if that gives you an idea of how far a little bit goes.

My first impression was that I couldn't believe how glossy this product is. The colour looks dark in the tube, but like all Black Honey products by Clinque, you basically get a slight cherry tint that has a warmth to it. If that makes any sense. I like to use this with a dark lip liner and mix the two colours together. I also do this to add some staying power. I find that this gloss disappears from your lips fast. You definitely have to keep reapplying throughout the day regardless of whether or not you are drinking or eating or not. Here is a swatch:

This is one of the most comfortable glosses that I have ever worn. Not sticky. The colour also goes with just about any look or outfit so it's a no brainer lip product to apply. I will be repurchasing this. The price isn't bad either. I would prefer if it wasn't in a tube and maybe had a wand applicator. Squeezing it out is not my preferred method of lip product application and once you get near the end of the tube, it's a pain in the ass to get the last bit out.

My main complaints are the need for frequent application and the packaging could be a lot better. Otherwise, it's a solid product anyone could use in their stash.

Packaging: 6/10 

Pigmentation: 5/10 (but I think that is the point of the product to be sheer)
Easy to Work With: 10/10
Longevity: 5/10
Texture: 10/10
Price: 10/10
Ingredients: 8/10
Travel Worthy: 10/10
Attractiveness of Product: 10/10
Would I buy this again? YES,
Overall Rating: 8/10

Beach Day Must Haves

It's that time of year again, beach season! I hope many of you have beach plans for the summer. I do! I'm going to Florida for a few days and then on a cruise! Can't wait.

I thought I would do something a little bit different today. I have some Beach Day Musts for me and I am going to talk about swimsuits, beach accessories and of course, beauty products.

Let's start off with swimsuits. I don't know about you, but there is something timeless and fun about a polka dot bikini. I have a pink one with yellow, white and red polka dots. I got it years ago from American Eagle. I don't think it will ever go out of style. Since mine is no longer available, I have to say that Adoreme.com has something similar called the Jules Push-Up in a gorgeous aqua green as shown above. I also love a white bathing suit. I have a couple of white bikinis, mine are from Victoria's Secret and American Eagle. Both styles are no longer available. Adore Me has a great one piece called Kaia in white, also shown above. You can't go wrong with a one piece.

I'm really into flutter swimsuit tops this year and I think the black with white and black checkered print style called Monyca by Adore Me hits the mark. Adoreme.com has so many cute, affordable swimsuits and lingerie. You should check them out and their Instagram!

I recently bought a Madewell Packable Straw Hat online from Nordstrom. It's on sale right now for $25 U.S. I don't know about you guys, but I find it so hard to find a reasonably priced packable sun hat. Any regular hat that I pack for a trip or in a beach bag gets destroyed. This hat is great because the ribbon band doubles as an elastic to wrap up the hat when you pack it. I am totally going to go full out Joan Collins in the Dynasty era with the big sunglasses and hat this year! Seems appropriate since her character's name was none other than Alexis.

Speaking of the big hat and sunglasses, I recently found a pair of sunglasses that that I love at The Bay by Jeanne Beker called the Alannah. Picture is shown above. I love these and the little bows at the sides are adorable. I'm all about affordable sunglasses. These are normally $44 Canadian but I snagged mine for $35 on sale.

I recommend getting a lined beach bag, ideal for wet swimsuits and towels, if you can find one. I have one that I bought on a cruise ship a few years ago. Winners/Marshalls and sometimes The Gap have smaller pouches for this purpose that you can throw into a beach bag. Super handy.

Finally for beach accessories, I have the Lauren Conrad Valencia Flip Flops shown above in the Flamingo Bird print. I had these in my hand when I was down in the States recently in Kohl's and for some bizarre reason, I didn't buy them. I have been kicking myself ever since. If you can find these, and they come in several colours and patterns, you need to pick them up! They are only $9.99 right now.

Okay, beauty products! I personally don't feel comfortable hitting the pool or the beach with nothing on my face. Habit of a lifetime. At the same time, you want to protect your face from the sun's damaging rays while still not wearing a mask of makeup. My solution is to wear Origins VitaZing SPF 15. This is a tinted face moisturizer with SPF. There are little beads in it that look orange, but they work in with the moisturizer instantaneously to even out your skin tone and provide you with light coverage. It's a win win. Available at Sephora.

I love me some Burt's Bees and their After Sun Soother may be their best product. If you get too much sun or a nasty sunburn, this product will fix you up in a snap. I've used it for years on myself and my husband and I swear within an hour you can seen your sunburn fading and by morning it's pretty much gone and turns into a tan for most people. Totally takes the sting and pain out of a sunburn too. Nothing compares. You can purchase this at Wal-Mart and many drug stores.  

Bite Beauty's Agave Lip Mask. I cannot live without this. It comes in a few colours now so you can have it look like coloured lip gloss if you prefer, but the clear one still gives you nice, shiny lips. I prefer the clear personally. It will save you from windburn, not sure about sunburn though. Completely moisturizing and soothing. I get prune city after being in the water and I want comfortable lips. Available at Sephora.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion is fantastic. When my hair is frizzy or dull and lifeless, I reach for this. Keeps your hair soft and gives it natural looking waves. This is perfect for the beach or poolside. Works great on wet hair while it's air drying. It's like coiffed hair to go. This product is so much better than its predecessor, Bumble and Bumble's Surf Spray. That left my hair dried out and crunchy. You can get it at Sephora and many fine beauty salons.

Mascara. My holy grail, no fail, won't smudge, run or bleed is the Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara. You need this for the beach. End of story. You can pick it up at Sephora and most department stores.  

Last, but certainly not least, if you like to do bronzer for the beach, my favourite bronzer is the tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess. If you haven't tried this, you don't know what you are missing. It is so easy to use and looks amazing. Sold at Sephora and Ulta.

There it is, my Beach Day Must Haves in a nutshell. What are your Beach Day Must Haves? #BeachDayMusts  

Murad Resurgence Renewing Eye Cream - Review

Ever try a product that you neither loved nor hated? That's the case for me with the Murad Resurgence Renewing Eye Cream. I got a travel size sample of this back around Christmas time. That sample lasted me for a number of weeks and I used it twice a day. A full sized bottle costs $90 Canadian or $80 U.S. for 0.5 oz. The travel sized sample I had is 0.14 oz. Or 4 ml. Based on how long I had mine, I would guess a full sized bottle would easily last a number of months.

I found that the product was comfortable and refreshing but not uniquely so. My big problem is dark circles not eye bags or wrinkles as yet. This product is supposed to address all of these issues. As far as the dark circle help is concerned I didn't notice any difference after using it for several weeks. I can't really comment on how well it works on eye bags or wrinkles since those aren't my issues.

One thing I did notice is that this product is not well suited for the eye area close to your actual eye. It burns like crazy if you get any in your eyes! I would only suggest using this under your eyes only and not close to your tear ducts or lash line. I wasn't thrilled about this as I felt I needed to use another eye cream with it to cover areas closer to the eye. That doesn't impress me. I believe there is a disclaimer on the packaging about avoiding the immediate eye area....for an eye cream, that doesn't work for me.

This is an expensive product and it did not wow me. I didn't find it to be any better nor as good as my regular eye cream. For those reasons this will not be a repurchase.


Packaging: 8/10
Easy to Work With: 4/10
Moisturizing: 8/10
Texture: 8/10
Reduces the Look of Dark Circles: NO
Price: 2/10
Ingredients: 7/10
Quantity of Product: 8/10
Travel Worthy: 10/10
Would I buy this again? No, because it doesn't do anything for my dark circles and it burns.
Overall Rating: 6/10 points off for price, burning and doing jack squat for dark circles.