NOTD: Suncoat Peelable in Mulberry

Hello!

I received this bottle of Suncoat Peelable nail polish in a Glymm box last month. The photo is true to real life. I’m always a bit wary of peelable nail polish. I find that one little scrap can take the whole nail off. This wasn’t the case with Suncoat. In fact, I was able to have a shower & wash the dishes and keep the polish on.

Of course, it didn’t last for as long as non peelable polish but I really liked this formula. I would definitely pick up a few more colours if I had an idea where to find them. It would be great for the really dark shades like red that seem to dye the area around my nails when I try to take it off with remover. Something to think about if you’re like me and often plan your polish changes a few days in advance. It is definitely the best peelable polish I’ve ever tried.

According to their website, the polish is “Completely VOC free. Free of toulene, formaldehyde (no formaldehyde donors), acetates, acetone or any other chemical solvents.” This particular colour is vegan. Suncoat is a Canadian company and their cosmetics are cruelty-free.

What is your favourite polish at the moment?

Best of Beauty Boxes: June & July

Even though it’s been a few months, I finally finished trying a couple of products from June and July’s beauty boxes. Instead of just posting what I got in the boxes, I’m going to showcase my favourites.

June’s Glossybox was a bit disappointing. Even though it contained four full size products, everything in the box was a drugstore brand. Wow. That made me sound really snobby. lol Not that there aren’t some great drugstore brands, it’s just that I get the beauty boxes to introduce me to brands that are new to me. Anyway, the best part of this box was the full size Gillette Venus Embrace Razor ($13).

July’s Glossybox was an improvement and featured a full size Zoya nail polish in Shelby. It’s my first Zoya polish and I love it. I wore it a few times this summer. It’s the perfect hot pink!

Glymm’s July box (or should I say bag), had a couple of great products in it.

The La Fresh nail polish remover was FANTASTIC and the box contained two pads. As promised, one pad took all the polish off both hands. Just a note, that it removed a pale pink polish so I wonder if it would be different if it were dark polish. Has anyone tried it? What I also loved about it was the orange scent. It was a lot more pleasant than the typical chemical smell of regular nail polish remover. I would love to buy this but it’s a bit expensive. $9.99 for 20 pads. Not so bad but I wish they’d make it without the pads. I’d definitely buy. It’d be perfect for travelling which is what I’m saving the second pad.

My other favourite was Clark’s Botanicals Smoothing Marine Cream. It’s texture is smooth and feels like it’s thick and moisturizing but somehow spreads thin. This sample lasted TWO MONTHS!! It left my skin very soft and smooth. The only thing is it’s pretty expensive, $115 (50 mL) but it did last a long time so I would consider buying if it was on sale.

The great news is that all of these products are cruelty-free!

What’s your favourite product from a recent beauty box?

Pretty Things : May Glymm Box!

Hello lovelies!

I’m slowly catching up with these beauty boxes! First things first, as a follow up from my last Glymm post. The Free Your Mane samples of shampoo & conditioner were alright. They had an odd musky smell which kind of threw me off. It said it had argan oil and moroccan oil in them but that’s not really what it smelled like to me. It reminded me of like an old bottle of hairspray my mom had from the 80s. If that makes any sense.

This month, Glymm didn’t arrive in its trademark pink box. It was white. Once I opened it, I wasn’t greeted with another pink box but a small pink make up bag. Cute! This card was included. I thought it was interesting that they decided to go green in May as opposed to April but better late than never!

I love the inclusion of a make up bag although I do worry that they’ll be using a bag every month. Having 12 mini make up bags won’t really save packaging in the long run. Hopefully, they’ll change it up like wrap everything in a scarf one month, or fabric. It should be interesting.

Here’s what I received in my Glymm:

1. Pink make up bag!

2. CK Shock for Her and for Him
Sample size: 1.2 ml
Full size: 50 ml / $45

The for Her smells lovely! It’s so young, sweet and fresh. The for Him smells a bit like bug spray. :/ lol I don’t really consider this as part of the box since these are kind of free samples you could get from anywhere. Not cruelty-free.

3. Coola Organic Suncare
Mineral Matte Cucumber Face Sunscreen
Sample size: 5 ml
Full size: 50 ml / $36
I’m very excited about this! I’m definitely going to use tomorrow when I’m out in the sun. I’m curious about the cucumber in it. I feel like it would be very soothing. It’s worth noting that a portion of sales goes to cancer research. Cruelty-free.

4. Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum (lighter pink)
Sample size: 1 ml
Full size: 30 ml / $48

This product is to be used pre-moisturizer. It’s all about serum at the moment, isn’t it? I feel like there’s so many serums out there right now. Of course, maybe I’m only noticing them more now because I should be using them. It’s hard to tell if they’re cruelty-free. If they weren’ t being sold in China, they would be. However, China has law requiring animal testing so it’s’  a bit of a gray area. There are a few companies (Mary Kay, Avon, etc.) that are being sold in China so you know they’re going to have to include animal testing. What they should do is band together and leave the Chinese market until they’re able to sell without testing but they’re way too big of a market to take a stand I fear.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbert
Sample size: 1 ml
Full size: 40 ml / $38

Any kind of moisturizer that’s labelled as a sorbet sounds heavenly. I’m a little disappointed in the sample size however. You can’t really gauge how great a product is by only one, possibly two uses.

5. NuMe HydroPunch Hydrating Conditioner
Sample size: 20 ml
Full size: 250 ml / $24.99

This smells really nice. It’s also Paraben and Paraffin and Cruelty-free. Whoop!

6. Cargo Eye Shadow Duo in Vienna
Full size! $25

Love that this is full size! Gorgeous colours. The darker one is a smokey, shimmery grey and the lighter colour is a nude pink. Very pretty and practical. I love the texture and smoothness of the product. I’m loving these Cargo products that are popping up in beauty boxes lately. It’s giving me a great appreciation for Cargo. Cruelty-free.

7. Caudalie Vinexpert Anti-ageing Serum Eyes & Lips
Sample size: 7 ml
Full size: 15 ml / $33

This is  a good size sample considering it’s half the size of a full size bottle. They’ve given a lot of Caudalie anti-ageing samples in this box. I guess I should take the hint! I’m curious to see how this all works together. I’m particularly excited for this product as it claims to diminish dark circles. Result.

What did you think of this month’s Glymm? Did you get anything different?

Pretty Things: April Glymm Box

I’m so far behind with my beauty box reviews (I’ve already received May’s Glymm!) and I nearly skipped this one. I thought I should have though for when I go back and compare month to month. So let’s crack on with it.

1. Free Your Mane Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner
Sample size: 7.4 mL each
Full size: 300 mL ($16)
These kind of samples are a bit lame to me because you could get them in a magazine. However, I like that it is from a brand I don’t know. I also like that it’s sulfate, paraben and phalate free. I can’t see anything that confirms that its cruelty-free.

2. Mai Couture Social Gloss
Full size!! ($28)
The colour I received was Sake Sunrise. It’s a nude gloss and to be honest, I think it’s a little to dark for me. It kind of washes me out. I’ll try it in a couple of weeks when I’ve freckled a bit and see if that makes a difference. Love that it’s a full size product! I can’t find out if they’re cruelty-free.

3. $100 Gift Certificate to NuMe!
This is AWESOME!! I’m definitely going to use this. Even though I’ll have to pay a bit to get a hair straightener or curling rod, it’d still be less than I’d pay at Sally’s Beauty Supply. Very excited. I just can’t decide what to get.

4. Atelier Cologne in Orange Sanguine
Sample size: unsure, it’s the typical perfume sample size
Full size: 30 mL ($60) and 200 mL ($165)
I was a little disappointed with this at first but when I saw the full size price I understood why the sample was so small. Plus, it’s from a  company that I don’t know much about. I love the scent. It smells exactly like oranges. It’s a perfect light scent for spring although I’d be nervous to wear it when the wasps and mosquitos are out! No clue on its cruelty-free status.

5. Lucia Soap No. 6 (Wild Ginger & F resh Fig)
Sample size: 25g
Full size: Package of 8 soaps ($17.50)
This is a really fancy soap if 8 of them costs $17.50! I have to say that when I popped this soap out of the box, it didn’t feel like a regular bar of soap. It’s very creamy and made with 100% Organic Shea Butter. I haven’t tried it out yet, I feel like I have to keep it for best! lol. I checked out the website and there are a lot of options in this scent so I’m curious to see what else they have to offer. Cruelty-free.

Overall: Great box! Still really impressed with the brands that are included in Glymm.  I’m also super excited about the gift certificates. If you know anything about the cruelty-free status of the brands I’m unsure of please let me know.

Did you receive April’s Glymm box? What did you think?

Pretty Things: March Glymm Box!

I received my March Glymm box over a week ago. It arrived really fast this month which was unexpected but appreciated! I thought I wouldn’t post such detailed photos this time around because you can find them on many other blogs.

Here are the contents:
 

From top clockwise:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Hydrafull Gloss
Sample size: 1 ml
Full size: 2.2 ml // $27.00
I would never buy a $27 lip gloss (at least I don’t think so). However, it’s a great colour and cruelty free. Who knows? Maybe I’ll really love it and want to pick up the full size. It should be mentioned that Glymm included a card to get a free Hydrafull Gloss with the purchase of two full size Anastasia products. If you already use Anastasia products (or are planning to), this would be an incredible deal.

Burt Bees Hand Lotion: This is not on the card so I’m assuming it’s a filler. It’s still nice to have and I’ll include them in my travel bag. My skin is always so dry when I stay in hotels.

Nu-Me Feather Hair Extentions
Full size!! Usually $25.
I really wouldn’t purchase these but I might have tried them out if they were in a different colour.

Ocean Nail Polish in Be Bold
Full size!! Usually $12
I’m such a fan of receiving full size nail polishes! It really makes my day. This is a great colour but it’s a bit dark for spring / summer. I would’ve preferred another colour but I know I will use it. In fact, I’ve already put it on my toes. Unfortunately, I can’t find out more about this brand online. I’m not sure if it’s cruelty free or 3-free. It says it doesn’t contain harmful toxins on the Glymm card but that’s a bit vague.

Just so you know it was -2C when I took this photo yesterday. It’s gotten a bit colder lately but I don’t care. As soon as I transition to flip flops, it’ll take a full on blizzard to get them off my feet. This is only one coat and I’ve had it on for a week. Sorry for the scruffy finish. I think two coats might make it a bit dark.

Finally, I forgot to add to add this item in the original photo:

M. Asam Magic Fini
Sample size: 5 ml
Full size: 30 ml  // $38

This product is meant to conceal your uneven skin tone. I haven’t tried it yet because it looks incredibly dark for me. I’m a MAC NC100 which they don’t even make anymore. lol. I’m not sure if it’ll blend in but I don’t see a specific colour on it (or online) so it could be a one size fits all situation. I can’t find out if it’s cruelty-free which most likely means it isn’t so I won’t be purchasing this in the future.

That’s it for this month’s Glymm. I was not disappointed in the box. I thought it was a good value again this month. I was hoping that one of the boxes would drop the ball so it’d be easier to drop one. I think I’ll just have to think a bit longer on it. If you’re interested in signing up for Glymm yourself, please use my referral code.

Please link me to your Glymm box reviews or let me know what you got in yours. xx

Pretty Things: My first Glymm box!

Hello lovelies!

I actually received my first Glymm box the day after my first Luxebox but posting them back to back seemed a little too samesy. Glymm is a similar beauty box like Glossy Box, Birchbox, etc. Here’s what I received in my February Glymm. As a reader, I felt that my Luxebox review was too wordy. I was trying to give a lot of info but honestly, nobody cares about that. lol. Well, at least I don’t think they do. So I’m going to try to be a bit more brief with this.

I have to say I really like the physical quality of these boxes. They’re so lovely and I can’t wait to find reasons to reuse them. Perfect to have on hand for gift wrapping.
Here are the items:

At the back:
Mai Couture : 2-1 Oil Blotting/Bronzing Papier
Sample size: 2 sheets
Full size: 100 sheets / $24.
My thoughts: I have not used this yet but I do like the idea of it. Honestly, I haven’t used blotting papers in years. I used to be so obsessed with the Body Shop’s Blotting papers in high school. I wonder if they still make those. Anyway, even if I did really enjoy these I don’t imagine I would spend the $24. That seems like a lot of money for something that used to cost me less than $5. Although I really like the idea of a bronzing/blotting paper. That makes a lot of sense although if I recall correctly, the Body Shop had a powdered variety already.

On the far right:
Glamglow: Tingling and Exfoliating Mud Mask
Sample size: 7 mL
Full size: 50 mL ($78)
My thoughts: Again, I haven’t tried this yet but I’m very excited about it since it’s such an expensive product. Included in the box this month was a coupon to receive the full jar for $50 which I think is a great incentive. I’m more likely to spend more money on a mask that you’d use once a week (or bimonthly) because it would last longer. However, it expires on March 12 so considering I only received the box a week ago that doesn’t seem like a lot of time especially for a more expensive product.

In the middle:

Burt’s Bees: Tinted Lip Balm (award winner) in Rose
Sample size = Full size!! ($7.99)
My thoughts: First off, the packaging is ridiculous. It’s just so excessive for an $8 lipbalm. It’s not exactly fragile. So I did find that a bit much.

However, the tint is a really pretty colour and would be nice to have on hand in your purse. I have to confess that I’m really attached to my all-time favourite lip balm (Lip Service by LUSH). I feel that the more traditional lip balms (this one included) is a little too waxy and dries out my lips. However, I really appreciate the fact that they included a full size product. I know a lot of people love Burt Bees so I’m sure I can give this to someone who’ll love it.

Finally, we have Sula: Paint & Peel nail polish in Champagne Coral.

Sample size = Full size!! ($9)
My thoughts: I was really excited for this when I opened the box. It’s such a pretty colour and it’s a colour I don’t already have which is even better. I was a little excited about the peel off aspect of it too because I used to have a peel off nail polish when I was 5 so I thought it’d be cute. Well….first impressions is that it’s a really thin nail polish that comes off as streaky. Even applying it very carefully will leave streaks (with and without a basecoat I tried both) and it has a lot of bubbles. I also found that the colour after it dried was not the same as in the bottle. The good news is that it dries quickly and comes off easily with remover. It does peel off but it’s a lot easier than regular polish to remove so I don’t think I would risk damaging my nails just to peel it. It did stay rather well. I was worried it would come off in the shower but it did not. I will wear this polish again but I’m not sure I’d buy another one if they were all so streaky.

Well, that’s it for this month’s Glymm. I still really enjoyed receiving it. Even though I was disappointed in a couple of the products, I wasn’t disappointed in the box if that makes sense. I was also really excited that all this month’s products (from what I could gather) were cruelty-free which makes my day.

Did you receive a Glymm box this month? Please link me to your review so I can check out what you got!

Ready for the Weekend : January 27 edition

This was such an intense week for meetings. I was running out to a meeting or running back from one to join an online webinar. One meeting went past 10 pm at night. I don’t think I recovered from that at all. Story of my life. I’m really looking forward to an easy, breezy weekend. Here’s what I’m up to for the next couple of days:

1. A Midwinter’s Dream Fashion Show
I’ve been offered a ticket through work and I’m really excited about it. I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’ t heard of this event before but it’s only its second year.  I’m a big fan of Hair FX so I can’t wait to see what they come up with. Plus, I’m really excited about the swag bag. I’ll be hitting up the mall tomorrow to find something “sparkling dress attire” appropriate. It’s always great to have the opportunity to support such a worthwhile cause in a fun and fabulous way.

2.  Pining for Beauty Boxes
While reading UK beauty blogs, I get so jealous of all the beauty box options. When I first heard of them, I googled like crazy to find Canadian options and I couldn’t find any. A few months later, I found one through a LouLou magazine email. I signed up immediately, thinking it was the only option and then I found out there were lots to choose from including my dream beauty box – Glossybox. I’m so excited. I’ve signed up for 3 (I would have done 4 but Topbox is full at the moment.   ). It’s a bit ridiculous but for $10 a month, it’s hard not to at least try it out. I don’t imagine I’ll keep them all but I’d like to try it out anyway. I’m actually a perfect candidate for these boxes because I’m really picky. I won’t buy beauty products that aren’t cruelty-free or that come in recyclable packaging. I also don’t buy any soap/shampoo that isn’t biodegradable. It’s so hard to find products that meet my requirements but when I find them, I stick with them! I’m very loyal. If the products don’t have enough for me to choose from, I’ll cancel but for now, I’m super excited.

Here’s what I’ve subscribed to:

• Luxebox
• Glymm
• GlossyBox

You can check out youtube for reviews of the first two boxes. However, Glossybox is brand new in Canada and won’t be shipping until March. Very exciting to be part of the initial launch.

3. Reading Clash of Kings
The Song of Fire & Ice series continues!

4.  Knitting
The blanket isn’t going to knit itself.

5. Enjoying my new David’s Tea purchases:


Kanpe (herbal) is on top and smells so divine. Kind of like that really tangy filling in jelly doughnuts. FYI – all money from the sales of this tea go to KANPE. Organic North African Mint (green tea) is on the bottom.

What are your plans for the weekend? Any sparkling dress attire suggestions?