My Briar Rose

I'm starting out my revival first blog post with some products that I am late to the bandwagon on. Background: I was one of the original testers of the Inhibitif product line back in 2013 when the brand was basically brand new. I think this was right before Shoppers Drug Mart started to carry the line. I would go to their office on Queen St. E in downtown Toronto once a week and they would take some progress photos and film some video Q&As. It was pretty cool and I met the founder of the company during that time. The product worked amazingly well and I was pretty blown away by their whole office space and lab that they had at the time. After that was over I'm not really sure why I never paid close attention to what they were doing because if I did I probably could have saved myself years of trial and error, breakouts, angry skin, and wasted money. Fast forward to last year with the media coverage of the founder and my sisters growing interest in the brand and I finally ma...

I'm back! I'm not sure if anyone actually stumbles upon here anymore as it's been nearly 3 years since I've logged in. A lot has happened in those three years. For starters, I lost access to the email that was associated with this account and I had no idea how to recover this blog with my email address so I kind of left it as it was and forgot about it. There were many times when I wanted to come back and make a post, but I was locked out. Fast forward to today being a slow snowy day at work and I had some time to do some Googling for a solution. I've obviously found one as I'm here and back in action!! I have so many updates and things to blog about so if anyone is still out there stay tuned for new content!

I received these to test as part of the Chick Advisor program. I have been an Always brand user for awhile but I normally use the ultra thin slender pads that are supposed to be great for teens. I'm not a teen but I don't have much of a flow so they work really well and aren't overly bulky. I find that these pads for me were only useful at night when I slept because the back was wider so that I wouldn't leak out onto my sheets if I slept on my back. I found the wideness of them a bit uncomfortable to wear all day, as well as them being too long front and back to wear during the day and still feel comfortable. I felt like people could see my pad at the front and back through my shorts because of how long they were. I would definitely like to see a smaller version (maybe another great for teens type) for me to even consider purchasing them. I also find the scent of these products a little odd. I'm not quite sure what it is but there is something about ...

I received a coupon for a free box of this hair colour from their Facebook promotions they were having a few months back. I can't remember how long ago it was exactly since it seems like it took forever to arrive in the mail. When checking out the various shades online it seemed like they had a great selection with 24 different colours to choose from. The reality though is that all the stores I went to maybe had 12 different shades on display. Only two of those being reds. I was a bit disappointed in this as I only had the option of doing Light Red Brown (too orange looking on the box), or Deep Cherry Brown (looked kind of purple on the box).  I hunted everywhere looking for Dark Red Brown but no stores around me carried it, so the other night I went and picked up the Deep Cherry Brown and hoped for the best. I knew if I went with the lighter colour it would end up turning orange on my hair since I have a lot of natural reddish orange tones in my hair to begin, and colour doesn...

So this arrived in the mail for me on Thursday of last week. I haven't had a chance to test everything yet though because I have been crazy busy with fashion week and school. Anyway for anyone who doesn't know Luxe Box is the Canadian equivalent of a Birch Box. I had been dying to try the Birch Box forever, but living in Canada I couldn't get it so I have been watching my American friends review all kinds of amazing products for around $10 a month. http://luxebox.loosebutton.com/ I love samples and having very very pale fair skin that is very picky about what goes on it, I practically live off samples until I find something that works for me. I have been burned too many times (literally) by products that were supposed to be for sensitive skin and then ended up leaving rashes or breaking me out. It is $12 a month to sign up for Luxe Box which is a pretty good deal considering I probably waste double that if not more on full sized products that didn't end up workin...

Today I used the Carbon Frost Colour Pearls Marble Eye shadow. I used the marble side for my whole lid then the gray side for the outer corner. I think so far this one might be my favourite colour for work. I like the smokey eye and the way the marble side of this shadow shows up and actually looks marbled. Makeup: Eyeshadow: Maybelline Eyestudio Colour Pearls in Carbon Frost Eyeliner: N.Y.C in black Mascara: L'oreal Double Extend

This was my Saturday Eye Studio Look with everything on my eyes from the new collection. The eyeliner I used on my bottom lash line is the very black gel liner. It was very easy to apply and went on really smooth and really nice. It's not at all what I was expecting. I do own gel eyeliner in a different brand and its more of a pain to apply, so I rarely ever use it. I think the very black is a little too dark and harsh for me for everyday, so my sister may get it instead of me. I like more gray shades since I have blue eyes unless I am going out at night and need something more dramatic. The eyeshadow is the sinful sinnamon which I absolutely love. I didn't think it would look great at first because it is a pinkish red colour. I thought it would make me look like I had pink eye, but it goes on like a very natural colour. It looks better on than in the palatte. I love the sparkle in this one and its not too bright that I can't wear it to work every day. Makeup: Eyeliner - Ma...

This was my look 2 on Thursday! I couldn't get blogger to work for me the past few days so today is catch up day! I was also having issues with my camera and the battery died on me so I don't think the macro worked, hence why the pic is blurry and out of focus. I used the irresistibly ivy eye studio quad and love the colour combo! I wore it to work and felt a bit like a light bright though. I know its listed in the neutrals but that green is anything but neutral. I do like the look just not sure how practical it is for work. I guess I can get away with it though because I am younger, and depending on what I wear it may suit the occasion. I did do a photoshoot after that I used this same eye makeup for and it worked out very well. The only thing I find is the sparkles in this line end up falling underneath my eyes and I have sparkle rimmed eyes, but I am in love with how glittery everything in the kit is. Makeup: Eyeliner - N.Y.C in Black Eyeshadow - Maybelline Eye Studio Colou...

Today I used the Maybelline Eye Studio Colour Pearls in Khaki Craze. The rest of my eye makeup was my own since I was headed to work and don't have a ton of time to test out the gel liners in the morning. That will be more of a weekend project when I have th e time to spend on creating some interesting looks and not something toned down for work. I really like the amount of shimmer in this eyeshadow, as well as its staying power. I still have it on now and it looks as great as when I did it this morning. There is a little bit of creasing, but I have naturally oily skin and all eyeshadow by the end of the day has creased, some moreso than others.I can't wait to try more in the collection! Makeup: Eyeliner - N.Y.C in Black Eyeshadow - Maybelline Eye Studio Colour Pearls in Khaki Craze Mascara - L'Oreal Double Extend

I had previously reviewed the two mineral foundations that were included in the 7 piece kit so now here is my update on the rest of the kits contents! Sorry its sooo late after the first post but things have been crazy hectic the last little while! First lets talk about the mineral glow bronzer. It looks very dark in the jar so I was afraid to test it out on a day where I had to do makeup for work or to go out just in case it looked really fake on me. I chose to try it out on a day that I didn't have any plans to go anywhere and didn't have to go to work that way I could wash it off as soon as I was finished if it looked bad. I do think it is slightly dark for people with very fair complexions like mine...it works ok if you blend it really well but then my face doesn't really match the rest of my skin especially in the winter, so right now I am not sure really if I like it or not. I will probably have to wait and try it again in the summer to see if I can get it to better m...

Yesterday I was excited to open the mailbox and find a package from Intelligent Beauty containing my Raw Minerals 7 Piece Discovery Kit. The kit included: two mineral foundations one in Light 1 (picture on the left) and the other in Light 3 (on the right), Mineral Glow Bronzer, Active Veil SPF 18, Foundation Brush, Concealer Brush, and a Retractable Brush. They send you two different shades of foundation so that you can choose which best matches your skin or so you can combine the two so you can make the shade that does match. I already knew upon looking at the two shades that I was the Light 1 but I tried the Light 3 today just to see what it looked like. The light 3 is very orange on me because I am so pale I am for sure the Light 1, so my sister benefits because she has a bit darker skin tone than me and the Light 3 matches her perfectly. The foundation looks great on though. It goes on smooth and a little goes a long way for sure you only need a tiny dab or else you overdo it. I fi...

I am sooo sorry this review took so long to make it here! Awhile ago I was asked if I would like to review some products from Skin Free which is a company that uses 100% natural and non-toxic ingredients in their products. I did a review on the soap awhile ago when I had first received the package so now its time to finish reviewing the rest of the things I received and have been using for the past little while. I love that these products have no harmful or harsh chemicals in them since I think I have figured out that is what is breaking me out to begin with! Since I have started using natural remedies or natural products I have noticed my skin looks clearer and more healthy and I haven't had much problems with acne since except for the occasional few pimples due to hormones. First is the Skin Free Niaouli Scrub for Blemish Prone Skin. I love this product! It smells sort of like menthol which I love with a hint of vanilla and it goes on really nice. It is kind of messy but I don...

This lip gloss has won the best beauty award in 2007, but I honestly can't see why. I like the colours available and its nice when you first apply it. It goes on super smooth and nice. It also doesn't glob or end up in the corner of your mouth. I also love the shine and sparkle of it too. The only problem I have is that it doesn't last very long. I have to keep reapplying every half hour because its completely gone from my lips. I don't lick my lips or eat or anything like that and it just seems to disappear, which is disappointing because I love everything about it except it has no staying power. This is the first lip gloss that I have ever went through this fast! It's actually quite sad. I think it retails for about $8 and I doubt I would spend that much money on it. I will just try to compare the colour I have to another brand to try.

I started using this a few weeks ago when I ran out of other face washes to use. I'm not really sure about this stuff at the moment. It has its ups and downs. I am thinking at this point more downs than ups but am finishing off the rest of the bottle since it was just a sample sized bottle or one of those gift with purchase trial sizes. I find it really really runny, well that was expected since it said it was cleansing milk but I really don't like that its so runny and milky in consistency . It makes it really hard to apply on your face without making a mess or wasting a lot of it down the sink. This stuff also burns! At least it did to my skin it started out as a nice tingle then started burning after a few seconds as I was applying more to the rest of my face. I couldn't wash it off quick enough. Not sure if I am allergic to something in it or if thats what it does to everyone, or if I just have really sensitive skin, but I didn't like that feeling. The only positive...

I have been using this mascara now for quite awhile after my whole episode with the Maybelline brand. I like this mascara way better then the Maybelline mascara. At least this stuff comes off with a bit of soap and water and no rubbing required so no sore eyes. It also doesn't smudge or run or anything which is great for the really warm weather we are currently getting. I especially love that its so easy to take off at the end of the day so that I don't end up with sore eyes again like with the Maybelline horror story I talked about earlier this year. The only complaint I really have is that the wand is really awkward to use at first. Now I am used to it so it isn't as difficult but I still find it harder to use compared to others I have used in the past. The wand is pretty big so I have to go a bit slower to avoid getting mascara on places other than my eyelashes, and I find it hard to do the left eye mainly because I am right handed and the wand is awkwardly shaped. Also...

Like I mentioned awhile ago I puchased the perfect 10 hair colour with bonus pantene expressions shampoo. I dyed my hair last Sunday and it turned out amazing perfect colour everything. BUT now its a week later and there is barely any colour left in my hair. :( I don't really know if its just because I washed my hair too soon after dying it or if its because of the red colour, or maybe my hair just isn't taking hair dye, all I know is that my hair is now a light orange/brown colour and almost back to where I started a week ago. Also every time I wash my hair dye comes out on the hair towel, its been like this all week. It is most likely washing out not fading out so I have no idea why that is happening especially a week later. This is really depressing because I loved the colour sooo much and it didn't even last a week. Plus I have been using the colour treated pantene red expression stuff as well so the colour should be keeping. I think it might just be my hair because w...

Ok so I received this as well as a few other products from this company awhile ago but so far have only used the soap, since I am still testing out the other acne products for a little bit. I have been using this soap since I received it on the third and it doesn't even look like I have really used it at all. It seems to last a long time because right now it looks basically brand new. At first I wasn't sure if I should try the soap because I thought it might be too moisturizing for me since its supposed to clear up eczema so I was going to pass it on to my mom who has very dry skin to use. I decided to give it a try anyway and if it wasn't for me then I was going to pass it on to someone here that could use it. I actually really like this soap. I was kind of afraid to use it when I got it because its supposed to be extra moisturizing and my skin does not need the extra moisture! I have such oily skin usually that I can't use anything that even has the word moisture in i...

Ok so my last post on this was the 9 th so its time for another update I believe. So far so good with the acne. My whole face is actually pretty clear. I would say about 98% of my face is clear with no acne. My chin area still has a bit and I do have one on my forehead but it sure beats the full out forehead and chin acne that I used to have! Plus this time of the month is the worst usually for acne so I am glad that I haven't had the full breakout that I normally get around that time of the month. Though I do think that is the contributing factor in the bit of acne I have right now because my face was almost 100% clear the last time I updated. I have stopped using the hydrating lotion though because I found it made my skin too oily and I found I had to powder more often and blot my forehead a lot. So I stopped using it and probably won't unless I find the other treatments are starting to dry my skin out then I will start. I also rarely use the spot treatment since I haven...

I was supposed to be posting weekly updates but I realize its been more like two! I have been so busy with work and trying to get my laptop and wireless up and running in the short amount of spare time I do have now that I just haven't had time till now. The laptop still isn't functional I had to exchange the first because the touch pad mouse didn't work and now this one I have to wait till we get a wireless company to come out and see how much it will cost to get both computers set up with wireless. Ok so on to the review...I have been using all four steps of the Clear Remedy system for close to two weeks now and I must say that I have noticed an improvement in my skin! I didn't see results in three days like they claim, but my skin was pretty bad so I really wasn't expecting a fast fix anyway. After about a week I started noticing the difference. My existing pimples have started to dry up and disappear and I haven't seen any new breakouts form since I have s...

Ok so I was suckered into buying this stuff a few months ago when it was out because it was a limited edition product and wouldn't be around for long. Plus I loved the smell but I love most of the scents that they have at The Body Shop. I usually wouldn't spend $25 on something for myself especially not when its just a jar of body butter. I guess I must have been in a spending mood, and besides it was bought with Christmas money so free to me. I have to say its well worth the money I spent! I love the smell of it which is what really got me to seriously consider buying it, even though I had a ton of similar products at home. The smell doesn't fade at all and it lasts all day until you shower it off. Not like a few other body butters I have bought that lost their smell a few hours after applying. It goes on really nice and doesn't leave any after greasy feel at all. Also a little goes a long way especially since I don't have dry skin. Instead its the opposite very ve...