Jennifer-Lynn: Bourjois

Showing posts with label Bourjois. Show all posts

Tuesday, 8 April 2014

March Favourites 2014! ♥

Welcome to my March favourites 2014! As showcased in my YouTube video below, I had a decent amount of products to share with you this month, so I thought I would do a mini review here of each, and provide some links for you!

Watch me showing off my favourites here!

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Light & Blonde: Do I ever love this product! It gives off the perfect hint of colour, which can really help camouflage your roots in my opinion. The best thing about a dry shampoo with a hint of colour, is not only does it make your hair look and feel clean, but it provides that brightening effect, so it really can give the allusion of recently dyed hair. I picked this up at Boots when I was in Ireland!

Marc Anthony Hydrating Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Sulfate Free Conditioner: I have been absolutely thrilled with this conditioner this past month. I plan on purchasing all of the products in this series so I can do a proper review on it, as there is also a shampoo and a treatment. But this is amazing for bleached, colour treated and damaged hair. It immediately makes your hair super soft and manageable, and adds shine. I highly recommend this conditioner!

No7 Pore Refining Serum: I have mentioned this multiple times in my blog already, but I have just recently fallen in love with it. I use this more as a light moisturizer than anything else, as I believe that's what it works the best as. It really makes your skin super soft and silky, and does a really great job of diminishing your pores. I will definitely be repurchasing, as I just ran out! :( As far as I know, you can purchase it at Boots, Shopper's Drug Mart and Target.

Essie Go Ginza: This has been a huge favourite of mine since the moment I picked it up! What a beautiful colour for spring! When you have it on, it looks more mauve than anything. I thought that I wanted to pick up a true lilac colour until I saw this. The website actually defines this colour as a "soft, cherry blossom pink". Hmmm. Either way, gorgeous colour, and I will continue to be wearing it throughout the spring and summer! It has a fantastic staying power as well, like all Essie polishes!

Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Polish in Rainbow Apparition 14: This definitely makes my all time favourite nail polish list. It is the most perfect purple, sparkly nail polish you've ever seen. In the photo above, I am actually wearing it combined with Essie's Go Ginza, which has been the most perfect combination this month. You definitely want to wear a pink or a purple underneath, as the colour looks significantly better when it's not just by itself. If you are a Bourjois fan or just a nail polish fan in general, PICK THIS UP.

Tarte Deluxe Marajuca Lip Glosses: I actually got these in the Tarte of Giving Collector's set, which is my favourite makeup gift I have ever recieved! I'll link my full first impression review of the set here, as it really is fantastic. They do finally make lip glosses in regular sizes now (LipSurgence Lip Gloss), which I am dying to try. I have yet to find a more perfect formula than these lip glosses. They're incredibly moisturizing, they plump up your lips, aren't too sticky and smell like mint. What more could you ask for?

Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate in 111 Kiss of Life: This is quite surprisingly my first ever red lipstick, and I think I made an excellant choice! I never really thought I could pull off red lipstick because I'm so pale, but I believe that there is a red lipstick to suit everyone. This colour is not too orangey, and not too deep red, it is just perfect. I also chose this lipstick over others because of the very reasonable price and the consistency. It is moisturizing, and stays put for a decent amount of time. This will not stay tattooed on your lips for the entire day, you will need to touch up in between eating, but that is certainly not a big issue for me. Love it!

Clinique All About Shadow Single in Sunset Glow: This shadow is in their Super Shimmer range, and I am so obsessed with it! This will probably be the only day to day colour I wear on my eyes for a long time, until I find something just as good. It's the perfect bronze colour for my skin tone in my opinion. I've been wearing it every day this month, and I will definitely continue to throughout the rest of the spring and summer! It has a great staying power, and beautiful finish.

Bourjois Little Round Pot Light Eyeshadow in No.03 Brume: I wear this in combination with my Clinique eyeshadow every single day as a highlighter. This is the most amazing highlighter you will ever use. If you like a shimmery, but not too out there brow bone highlight, than this one is for you. I use it in my inner corners as well, and it really helps brighten up my eye area. I am not sure if they have the Light range in Canada yet, as I got this in Ireland, but it is definitely worth ordering.

Essence Eyebrow Designer Pencil in 04 Blonde: Although it is a pain to have to sharpen anything, this pencil is worth it to me. This is the only pencil I have been able to find in the drug store that is the perfect colour match for my eyebrows. It looks natural, has a great staying power, is under $3.00 and has a little brush at the end. What more could you want? (Besides a retractable pencil of course).There are just two other shades, which are 02 dark brown and 01 black.

PürMinerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup with SPF 15 in Light: I have been using this as a setting powder for my foundation this month, and it works so nicely. I am not a huge fan of wearing mineral foundations just on their own, although this would look amazing over top of a tinted moisturizer. It's extremely natural looking, and really gives your skin a flawless finish. It also controls oil really well! I rarely have to touch up during the day at all when I use this. I got this in the 5-Piece Start Now Kit, which I got an amazing deal on. The Chisel Makeup Brush comes with it, which is a really nice brush for applying bronzer and blush as well!

Indigo Large Pouchette in Red: Ahhhh, this is just the cutest little pouch! I received this as a gift from my boyfriend, and I just think it's the most precious thing. It has a top zip closer with a heart charm, as well as a key ring attached on the inside. The quote in the lining reads: "When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew". How does that not brighten anyone's day?! It's still available at Indigo, so go buy it now!

Indigo Compact Mirror With Hearts in Light Pink: How adorable is this compact? I use this every day to check my makeup when I'm on the go. It has one mirror which gives you a close up, and the other is just a regular mirror. It's really sturdy and well made, so I'm thinking this is going to last me a long time! This is currently 34% off on the Indigo website at $9.50, so definitely grab it! This is for sure my favourite purse accessory at the moment.

And that is all! Hope you enjoyed this post, and please check out my video! xx

Tuesday, 4 March 2014

February Favourites 2014!

So here they are, my February favourites! I feel like I used quite a few different products this month, but here are the ones that really stood out for February!

Pürminerals Pout Plumping Lip Gloss in Crystal Pink: I actually purchased this because all Pürminerals lip glosses were on sale for 50% off at Shopper's Drug Mart. I think they might be discontinuing this collection. Either way, you can still find it on the Pürminerals website for $16.00. This is a really nice lip gloss. Beautiful colour, and not sticky at all. I did not notice if it made my lips 60% plumper like it claims to, but it makes up for it by being super hydrating.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in 02 Beige Touch: It's really going to be hard for any lipstick to beat this one for me. No matter how many I buy, I just keep going back to it. It's such an amazing pinky/beige nude! It's also the most hydrating lipstick I've ever tried. It is freezing in Toronto this winter, and I really think it's thanks to this that my lips haven't gotten cracked or too dry. Love it!

Tarte Deluxe Maracuja Lip Gloss: These actually don't have specific names, which is probably because Tarte doesn't seem to sell lip glosses anymore, except in limited edition sets. I got this one from the Tarte of Giving Collector's Set that came out last Christmas (my review on that here). This lip gloss is a tad sticky, however it is my favourite nude colour out of any of the lip glosses I own. It also contain's Tarte's famous Maracuja Oil, so it's really hydrating as well.

Forever 21 Owl Lip Balm in Mint: I still can't believe how much I like this! I purchased 3 of these owls for $10, and they're some of the best lip balms I've ever owned. You do have to dip your finger into it which is not my favourite, so I only apply it in the morning before I leave the apartment. I don't know what it is in these that works so well, but they're definitely worth trying out.

Indigo Cosmetic Pouch With Hearts: I received this as part of my Valentine's Day gift from my boyfriend, and I'm in love with it! This goes in whatever bag I'm carrying around at any given day, and just holds the few makeup items I bring out with me. It's the perfect size for anything, and still doesn't take up much room in your bag.

Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream in Light Skin Tones: I actually didn't expect to like this as much as I do either (as you can see, the bottle has been well-loved). I find that it does do everything it says it's going to do: hydrate, illuminate, even, firm and correct. What I'm most concerned about right now is hydration, and it does an amazing job at keeping your skin super soft. When I first put it on, I wasn't sure if it was going to do anything for my skin, as it's not very thick, but it works just as well if not better than thicker creams. It goes on as a light flesh colour, and becomes sheer when you smooth it out. I'll definitely be using this all through the spring and summer months as well, which will probably help me notice the other benefits even more.

Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush: This may be my absolute favourite this month. This is SUCH A GOOD FOUNDATION BRUSH. It is so worth investing in a good, flat-top foundation brush. It took me a couple tries to learn how to use it properly, but I don't think I'll go back to anything else after using this brush. I have noticed no fall out whatsoever, even while washing it. This brush is also an Allure Best of Beauty award winner of 2013!

Paul Mitchell Round Trip Liquid Curl Definer: I've actually had this for quite a long time, and never really gave it a chance until recently. My hair is actually more wavy than it has been for quite some time, so that's likely why it works so well for me now. This really conditions your waves/curls without weighing them down. This doesn't leave your hair crunchy at all, if you're into soft, flexible waves like I am.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Light & Blonde: This dry shampoo has been saving me lately, for more reasons than one! I have tried a variety of different dry shampoos, and Batiste is definitely the best for making your hair look clean and refreshed. But what I especially love about this one, is the hint of colour is actually helping me hide my roots, and making my hair look brighter! I purchased this can in Ireland, but I'm sure you can get the Light & Blonde in Canada too. A must for those with blonde hair. They also come in medium and dark!

Pürminerals Correcting Primer: First, let me just say, I really do not like the way this primer feels when you apply it to your face. I'm not a fan of the texture at all, I can't even describe it, but it's not anywhere near as silky as you'd like a primer to feel. Having said that, everything else about it is really nice! I've basically been mixing it with my foundation, which has given me much more of a natural finish. My skin loves it as well, as it really gives you a smooth, even base to work with. I'm not sure if they sell this primer on it's own, but it came in the Pürminerals 5-Piece-Beauty-To-Go Collection!

L'Oreal Paris Sublime Cleansers Gentle Micellar Solution: I have finally found my affordable dupe for Bioderma, my Vichy thermal cleansing water, etc! I truly find that this works just as well as any high end cleansing water/solution anywhere. It's extremely gentle, doesn't sting my eyes or upset my skin, and makes my skin so soft. This cleanser removes your makeup flawlessly, especially any kind of eye makeup. So glad to have finally found this!

Clinique All About Shadow Single in Sunset Glow: Last but not least, the eye shadow that I've been wearing everyday, all month long. This particular one is in the super shimmer collection. Unfortunately, the pictures above do not do it justice at all, as it really does look amazing when the sunlight hits it. This colour has hints of bronze, gold and pink in it. It's super easy to blend and very pigmented. Definitely looking forward to trying more Clinique eye shadows, as somehow this was my first one!

Goodnight! xx

Friday, 10 January 2014

Top 5 Drugstore Lipsticks (Winter Edition)

During the winter, I don't want to wear anything on my lips but moisturizing, protecting lip products. I've finally become one of those girls who doesn't want to leave the house with just lip balm on anymore. I need some colour, even if it's just a light pink or a nude. Here are my top picks for drugstore lipsticks that will get you through the winter season without drying out your lips.

5. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

The Revlon Super Lustrous Collection has about 50 beautiful colours, which range from the lightest pink to black. It's essential in the winter months to find a lipstick that will moisturize your lips, and these lipsticks are infused with both silk and vitamins. Revlon has an exclusive LiquiSilk formula, and it's packed with mega moisturizers. These retail for only about $7.99 in the drugstore, so they're definitely worth taking a look at.

4. Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick

These were my go to lipsticks this fall, and I was quite happy with them! They come in 22 shades, including Nude Delight which is my favourite. Not only do these moisturize your lips, but they contain antioxidants and vitamins A, C and E. I would always exfoliate my lips before going out into the cold with these on, as you want to start with a smooth surface for these lipsticks. These retail on average for $6.99.

3. Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter

Although these are not technically lipsticks, I had to put them in. These lip butters are fantastic to wear all year round for a surge of moisture without giving up colour. They contain mango, shea and coconut butter, and claim to boost lip's moisture by 156%! They also contain a gel formula, which is known to glide right over dry spots. These are available in 20 shades, and have a sheer to medium colour. I only own this lip butter in Pink Truffle, but I have heard that the shade Creme Brulee is the perfect nude, so I'll need to test that out eventually. These retail for about $7.49.

2. Gosh Velvet Touch Lipstick

This was my top choice until very recently. I absolutely love these lipsticks, and was obsessed with the shade Cappuccino. These are incredibly shiny, moisturizing and glide on easily. There are 12 shades available. I just purchased the shade Darling, which I can't wait to try, as I think it may be even more of a perfect nude than Cappuccino. These lipsticks also contain SPF 6, which is important for any time of the year. They retail for about $12-$14, but are definitely worth the price.

1. Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick

I adore everything about these lipsticks! I have never put on any lip butter or lipstick that glides over your lips like these do. I decided to try these on a whim when I was in Ireland, as they are almost half the price over there than they are in Canada. These contain orchid blossom extract, which helps hydrate and protect your lips for 10 hours. This collection contains 12 shades so far, and I currently own 02 Beige Touch which is an amazing everyday nude, and 03 Peche Cosy which is great for a subtle pop of colour. These lipsticks retail for $20 in Canada, so not the most affordable, but if you feel like spending a little more on a lipstick you definitely won't be disappointed.

Goodnight! xx

Tuesday, 7 January 2014

Irish Beauty/Skin Care/Hair Care Haul!

As most of you know, I recently returned from my 10 day vacation in Ireland and it was absolutely amazing! The shopping there is quite different than in Canada in some ways, including the selection of beauty, skin and hair products. Some brands are significantly cheaper than in Canada, and some are more expensive. Here is what I picked up while I was there!

Ooh La La Paris Makeup Bag: I have come to LOVE Penney's (or Primark) for affordable, inexpensive shopping! Ir reminds me of Forever 21, but with better deals in my opinion. Primark is actually an Irish retail chain, but has hundreds of locations all over Europe. This bag is the perfect travel bag for your toiletries and/or makeup, as it fits a ridiculous amount of products inside. I actually only paid €4.00 for this bag, which works out to just under $6.00.

Soap and Glory's The Greatest Scrub of All: Soap and Glory is considerably cheaper in Ireland than in Canada! I would say it's about half the price, if not more. I bought this in Boots, which is by far my favourite drug store over any in Canada. They constantly have offers such as buy 2 get one free (or 3 for 2). Although this scrub can feel a little drying (it does have salicylic acid in it) it works really well, and leaves your face smooth and clear. It can be used for any skin type, as it works for dry patches and for acne. I paid €7.00 for this, which works out to just over $10.00!

Lee Stafford Treatment For Hair That Never Grows Past a Certain Length: I have heard so many good things about this treatment, and having never seen it anywhere in Canada, I picked it up in Boots as soon as I saw it. Since I've only used it twice, I can't say if it's helping my hair grow, but it makes your hair feel absolutely amazing. This is a between shampoo and conditioner product, so you leave it on for a minimum of 5 minutes after you've shampooed your hair, and then follow up with a conditioner. This is not a cheap product as it worked out to about $20.00, but I believe it was worth it.

Bourjois Liner Pinceau Eyeliner: I am.....so disappointed with this eyeliner. I thought it was amazing when I first put it on, as it was super intense, shiny, and didn't budge. However, this first time I did notice a bit of a burning sensation, but I ignored it. I used it the next day and experienced the same burning sensation, but it went away after it dried. The next day when I woke up, my eyes were very swollen and sore where I applied the eyeliner, so I had to stop using it right away. So bummed out! Here's an instagram shot of what one of my eyes looked like:

Excuse the eyebrows!

L'Oreal Super Liner Eyeliner Blackbuster: I bought this eyeliner even though it was more expensive in Ireland than it would have been in Canada. However, after my eyes started breaking out like that, I stuck with a brand that I have had more experience with in terms of eye products. Although this eyeliner doesn't blow me away, it doesn't budge and is easy to apply. Most importantly, I am not allergic to it!

Provoke A Touch of Silver Twice a Week Brightening Shampoo: I had high hopes for this product, and to be honest I don't think it does much of anything! It's a nice shampoo, but I wouldn't repurchase it.

Botanics All Bright Hydrating Day Cream SPF 15: Looking at this day cream, it hits all the marks: natural ingredients, sun protection, brightening, hydrating, not tested on animals, under $5.00. Unfortunately, this cream turned out to be a little too light for me right now, so I'll revisit it when it's not as cold outside!

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Daily Moisturizer: This turned out to be one of my favourite finds, and I just picked it up at random! I don't think this is available in Canada, so I'll have to order some when I run out. This cream really does perfect your skin. It's targeted towards women in their 20's and 30's, to combat any irregularities in your skin. It makes your skin feel extremely soft, and diminishes your pores significantly.

Trevor Sorbie Colour Enhance Oil: I've only used this once so far, so I can't say for sure if it enhances my colour. However, this product does help moisturize your hair and smells really nice! It's enriched with avocado and argan oil as well.

Kadus Professional Coil Up Curl Cream: My boyfriend's sister actually gave me this, and I love it! It makes my waves incredibly soft and helps define them. Having used this on both wet and dry hair, I definitely prefer it on dry. An all around great product though!

Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick: Last but not least, my new favourite lipsticks! These are both perfect colours for me, in 02 Beige Touch and 03 Peche Cosy. These are half the price in Ireland than they are in Canada, as I purchased each of these for just over $13.00. These lipsticks are incredibly moisturizing, shiny, and are unique, beautiful colours. They are meant to protect your lips for up to 10 hours as well, which is perfect for the winter months. These will definitely be my go to lipsticks throughout the winter season.

That's it! Hope you enjoyed! xx

Wednesday, 20 November 2013

Review: L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation

I initially bought this foundation because I knew my beloved Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation was going to run out soon, and I am still looking for a more affordable alternative that I love just as much. So when I saw the L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation for $16.99, I thought it seemed quite similar and I decided to give it a go. Like the Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation, it creates healthier looking skin the more you use it. On the L'Oreal Paris website, they state that it contains 40% water, so it's very light weight and hydrating. It also contains antioxidants and vitamins C and E, which are both extremely beneficial for your skin. It contains Anderson Fluid as well (which I've never heard of) for the instant luminous, glowing effect. I actually cannot find what Anderson Fluid is anywhere online, so if anyone knows, please let me know! It also contains SPF 20 and lasts for 8 hours!

Left: Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation in 51 Vanille Clair, Right: L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation in Porcelain/Light Ivory

I picked this foundation up in the shade porcelain/light ivory, which is the lightest shade they make. It comes in 14 shades, so you get to choose from a decent colour selection. It contains the 30 ml or 1 fl oz which is typically of most foundations. As you can see from the picture above, when compared to the Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation in 51 Vanille Clair it is a little bit thicker and is a slightly different colour. This particular shade (Porcelain/Light Ivory) does have a warm undertone and the Healthy Mix Foundation has a fairly neutral undertone, so it is likely that the same shade would still work for you. despite your undertone.

I was somewhat surprised to find that I really do like this foundation! It does give an instant luminous effect, which I wasn't really expecting despite what's on the bottle. It's about medium coverage with one layer (which I just applied with my fingers, as usual) and really makes your skin look flawless. The colour was also a perfect match for me, which is always nice to find when you don't test out the foundation at the store! The only complaint that I have about this foundation, is that even though it claims that it is quite moisturizing, it accentuated any dry spots that I did have on my face. So I would recommend making sure your face is well moisturized and exfoliated before applying this foundation. I suppose it's because I'm now used to a gel foundation, which glides over any dry areas and does not accentuate them by any means. Overall, I was really impressed with this foundation, and give it a 4.5/5 for price, the skin care benefits, the light weight effect and the perfect colour match!

HOPE YOU'RE HAVING A GREAT DAY! xx

Monday, 18 November 2013

Take 5 Pounds Off Your Face By Contouring!

Unless you are really into makeup, you may not know how to contour your face or even know what contouring is. Contouring is simply shaping your face into it's desired shape, using a darker colour than your regular skin tone. It's the easiest way to slim down your face in seconds, and makes a big difference to any makeup look. I now do this every day in my makeup routine, which has lead to many people asking me if I have lost weight, as they can "see it in my face". I've also had many people compliment me on my cheekbones, when a year ago you could barely tell that I had cheekbones! If you don't already know, read on to find out how to contour!

My go to bronzer these days is one that I have mentioned multiple times in this blog, which is the Bourjois Bronzing Powder in 51 peaux claires/medianes. This is a beautiful, mainly matte, light bronzer that smells like chocolate. I purchased this product about mid summertime and have not nearly hit pan yet, and I've been using it almost every day since.

As you can see, the packaging is now a little messy, (I actually had to wipe it down before taking a photo of it, and this is the end result) as that's what happens when you're whipping out the same product every day of the week! I just use a blush brush to apply my bronzer, but use a contour brush if you have one. The brush I'm using is the Professional Blush Brush by Quo.

When I take photos, you can almost never tell that I have contoured at all. This is what you want, as the goal is to make it look as natural as possible. That's why I only use the lightest bronzers for my skin, as I have such a fair complexion. Another option is to use a foundation that is a shade or two darker than your regular foundation, and blend it in the same areas described below.

Here is my contouring process:

1. Cheekbones

If you don't know where the hollows of your cheeks are, suck them in and blend your bronzer into these areas. Start blending from the top of your hollows, right down to the edge of your mouth . This will really pull your face in and give your cheekbones definition. Make sure you blend afterwards with a fluffy brush to avoid any harsh lines.

2. Temples

Blend your bronzer from just above the middle of your eyebrow to the top of your cheekbone, in a sweeping "C" movement on both sides.

3. Jaw Line

This might be my favourite area to contour, as I would always like to take a few pounds off underneath my chin. I sweep just the tiniest bit of bronzer underneath my jaw bone as well as right underneath my chin. You don't want to use too much, as your face will start to look an unnatural colour from the rest of your body.

And that's it! Some people also choose to apply bronzer on the bridge of their nose if they want to slim it down. The trick is, do not go too much darker than your natural skin tone, know what you're doing and blend, blend, blend. I've used bronzer for years, but I never knew how to contour so it didn't make a difference in the shape of my face. Hope this helped some of you!