This Tuesday, I’m starting off with a bit of a weird confession: I have never shaved my legs in my life. Not once.
That being said, I personally prefer to keep just about all my body hair removed — save for my lashes and brows, of course. (Side note: does anyone else feel like a totally new person every time they get their brows done? It’s one of my favourite feelings in the world).
So, basically, I’ve been waxing my legs my whole life. Since I’ve started waxing, I’ve kept up with it routinely — which for those of you who like smooth, hairless legs is a great way to go, as waxing eventually thins out your leg hair (or stops it from growing entirely!).
However, constantly going in for waxing appointments is time-consuming and expensive. Especially once I started high school, and especially in University, it just wasn’t realistic anymore. I tried out all sorts of other methods — Nair Cream, which I disliked for the smell and the irritation it caused me, as well as waxing strips, which I found to be an okay solution, but not phenomenal.
Which is where the epilator comes in.
Basically, if you’ve never heard of an epilator before, it’s a little machine that works as hundreds of tiny tweezers to fully remove your body hair from the root. It gives the same results as waxing, without the effort of heading over for monthly waxing appointments (or the costs!). I actually tried one of these out a few years ago, back when the technology was fairly new. At the time, I wouldn’t have really recommended it — it was an awfully expensive and clunky machine, and the hair removal job was just so-so.
However, a few weeks ago my friend Amanda asked me to grab her one of these off of Amazon and I was shocked by how cheap it cost — only $50, warranty included. For those of you keeping tabs, that’s easily the costs of two boxes of Nair Wax strips, or a couple packs of razors. The big difference here being — an epilator is a one-time purchase. There’s no refills or replacements, after you purchase it you should be good to go for a few years.
So I dropped two into my shopping cart — one for Amanda and one for myself. I was skeptical at first, honestly, since it was a fraction of the cost of the machine I’d owned in high school. How good could it really be? Luckily, when it arrived the next day, I found my answer: it blew the old tech out of the water.
This epilator painlessly and easily removes leg hair. It’s very gentle, and I’ve yet to have any sort of irritation come from using it — even with my sensitive skin. While I’m pretty unbothered by the pain of leg waxing by now, this hurts even less. To me, in fact, this machine doesn’t hurt at all. There’s no pinching, no ripping, just flawless, easy hair removal whenever you need it. Plus, like waxing, it’s upkeep is minimal — it doesn’t require any sort of daily upkeep that shaving requires.
If you’re like me, and enjoy keeping your legs smooth and clean-shaven, give this product a try! It may seem a little expensive up-front, but I swear if you’re buying razors or waxing it’ll save you money, time AND effort in the long run. If this sounds like the product you’ve been looking for, be sure to check it out on Amazon here!
That’s all for this week! Be sure to check in next Tuesday for more of my favourite products!
So, recently, I took a little trip down to Sephora (classic, I know). However, this time around I figured I’d do a little Sephora Haul post of everything I got and share with you some returning favourites, as well as some new things I just got to try out!
On top of all that, my list of stuff I want to try out from Sephora is both a) completely unrealistic to buy at once and b) expensive. I was going to include all the products I’m dying to try here before I got into my whole haul and realized that added my Wishlist was going to turn this into the longest post of all time, so stay tuned for that next week instead. I have a couple of products that caught my eye that I’m excited to try in the future — after I’ve used up whatever equivalent I’m currently using or when I can justify the purchase a little better. If you’ve tried any of them and have some feedback, good or bad, I’d love to hear it!
So, let’s get into it!
Returning Favourite: Tarte Creaseless Concealer!
Tarte Creaseless Concealer
I’ve tried out sooooo many concealers in my time, but this one is my personal favourite. I haven’t gotten the chance to make a Tuesday Favourites post about it just yet, but trust me, it’s coming. I suffer from some serious under-eye circles and while I’ve tried out many a concealer, none of them last all day and cover everything up like this stuff does.
New And Exciting: Biossance Squalene and Bamboo Deodorant!
Biossance Squalene and Bamboo Deodorant
Okay, maybe this is TMI, but I tend to be a pretty sweaty person and it’s the bane of my existence. I’ve tried out so many deodorants, from VERY all natural (read: Lush T’eo Deodorant, which sorry, I totally hated), to Dove aerosol spray, to men’s Old Spice (yes, seriously). While I usually go for Secret’s gel formulas (which are great since they don’t leave any obvious white residue) I sometimes find they don’t work all that well, especially around the end of the tube. On top of all this, I’d like to have something natural — we’ve all heard about the dangers of aluminum in deodorant, and since I’m a pretty frequent user, I’d like to limit the chemicals I’m applying daily. I saw this stuff at the checkout line and immediately grabbed it and threw it in my basket. Sephora offers a bunch of all-natural deodorants, but I love love love Biossance, so this one immediately caught my eye. Fingers crossed it works, I’ll be sure to update you all if it goes well!
Returning Favourite: Lilly Lashes (Miami)
Lilly Lashes in Miami
Y’all already know I love lashes, and I promise a post on Lilly Lashes is coming soon. While I’ve already done a post on my other favourite lash brand, Sephora’s Luxe Lashes, these ones are a favourite for totally different reasons. They still look pretty natural, however I don’t find them as easy to apply or as flattering as the Luxe Lashes. The big upside here is that these lashes can last forever. Seriously, they are so well made — as long as I don’t lose them I can use them forever. While I tend to spring for the Luxe Lashes for specific events as I do like their appearance just a little more, these ones are also stunning and make a great lash for weekly use.
New And Exciting: Farsali Rose Gold Elixir
Farsali Rose Gold Elixir
If you’ve ever seen an Instagram makeup tutorial, like, ever, you’ve probably seen Farsali elixirs before. They’re super popular amongst make-up influencers for application under makeup, or even mixed in, for a fresh and dewey look. I’ve never been ready to commit to a whole bottle, as I wasn’t sure it was really something I really needed — but I was always curious. When I saw this sample sized bottle, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to give it a try!
Alright, you guys already know I love Tarte. This product has always been one of my favourite mascaras and frequently in my rotation. Mascara is one of those products that I actually switch up pretty frequently; I’ll admit I’m pretty married to most of my other makeup items and rarely stray from what I always buy. With mascara, however, I’ve always had a couple of favourites that I switch out, and I’ll try out new products that catch my eye every so often as they only last three months anyway. This one reigns as one of my favourites, as I find the brush a great shape and the formula pretty fantastic — as well as the added eyelash conditioning bonus. Be sure to stay tuned for a post on all my favourite — and least favourite — mascaras I’ve tried!
Returning Favourite: The Beauty Blender!
Blender Sponge by Beauty Blender
I won’t go too deep into this one since I’m sure most of you are at least a little familiar with it. I’ve never met a better makeup applicator, and have pretty much been married to this sponge since I bought my first one. I seriously can’t remember a time I’ve purchased a different sponge or foundation brush since.
New And Exciting: ABH Matte Lipstick Set!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Lipstick Set
Anyone who knows me knows I have never been a matte lipstick gal. From the start of the matte lipstick boom a few years ago, through its peak, it was never a favourite of mine. While I tried to hop aboard the trend, I always hated the dryness of it, how it looked when it wore off and was re-applied, and even the look — I just never personally never found it attractive. (This, along with straying from the bold-brow and contour trend, was actually a huge turning point for me in learning that I don’t always have to follow what’s trendy and a product’s popularity doesn’t mean it’s what looks best on me). Through and through, I’ve mostly stuck to gloss or non-matte lipstick through the years until they started to finally come back in style this last year. However, I occasionally spring for the occasional matte lipstick — I find at least non-liquid matte isn’t as drying and doesn’t give as extreme of a matte look which I indulge in sometimes. This product (and the surprising low price of it) caught my eye near the checkout, and I decided to give it a try as most of the colours have a shimmer and the sample size of them is fairly low-commitment. I’ve never tried ABH Lipstick but the brand is one of my favourites, so I’m sure these won’t disappoint.
Returning Favourite: Hello Fab Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer!
Hello Fab Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer
Okay, this product’s name is a bit of a mouthful. But this stuff is fantastic — it can double as a moisturizer even when you’re going out sans-makeup and has a lovely glow to it that illuminates your complexion. My skin is generally on the dry side, so I find this product works wonderfully to give my skin a little extra moisture before I start my makeup routine. While I’m not 100% married to it like I am with many of my other products, I’ve used it consistently as a primer for about a year now.
Returning Favourite: Benefit Gimme Brow Mascara!
Benefit Gimme Brow Mascara
I won’t go too deep into this one since I already made a whole post about it here. However, if you’re one for a more natural brow look, brow mascara is a product worth looking into — it helps define your brows while also holding them in place all day. Plus when it comes to brows, Benefit is one of the best.
And that’s all for my haul! Stay tuned to read all about my wish list of Sephora products — I have so many things I’m dying to try and I’d love any feedback before I go out and purchase them!
As always, much love,
Meredith
BONUS: Inside look at the Farsali Elixir — I’m already in love!
I’m back with another Tuesday Favourites for you guys, and this one’s a little special for me. When I first started my blog, I cranked out every single Tuesday Favourites post that you’ve read up until now over the course of a few days and queued them up until last Tuesday. I wasn’t really sure what I was doing when it came to blogging, and was uncertain if the posts were going to take off. However, so far it seems like you guys have really enjoyed them, so I’m going to keep continuing on with the series! Thank you all so much for all your support so far, it really does mean the world to me.
Anyways, back to this weeks product: the Peter Thomas Roth FirmX Peeling Gel! If you’ve kept up with my posts so far, you’ll already know I exfoliate religiously. I’ve tried out all sorts of products for exfoliating my face; from scrubs, to enzyme peels and masks — but this product reigns supreme. When I first got a sample of it from Sephora, I didn’t even really think about it — I try so many samples every time I shop there and it really takes something special for me to know instantly I need to buy the full-sized product. However, when I got around to trying this stuff, it literally blew my mind.
This product combines all my favourite things in an exfoliator — effectiveness, enzymes and efficiency. First of all, and this may be a personal preference, but I love a good enzyme peel. I’ve tried a couple of scrubs here and there and found them either ineffective or irritating — plus I kind of hate the texture. Rather than having to scrub down my whole face, I love the convenience of applying a product and having my skin perfectly exfoliated by the time I wash it off. However, a lot of peels can take time; I’ve had some products work as quickly as three minutes, while some have taken up to five. This, obviously, can be less than ideal if your ever in a rush.
This is where FirmX comes in — it literally works instantly. You just apply it and rub it on dry skin, and your dead skin cells just rub right off. It’s so easy its almost unbelievable — expect you can actually SEE the results immediately. Its not harsh on my face at all, either, and I’m pretty prone to sensitive skin. Plus, it removes everything evenly, avoiding the patchiness or need to scrub intensely that I often find scrubs come with.
If this sounds like a product you’d like to try, you can find it on Sephora here! And once again, thank you for tuning in every Tuesday!
Hope you’re having a lovely Tuesday! This week I figured I’d share one of my new favourite products, the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Deep Sea Collagen Super Serum! I know I promised a post on all my skincare soon but I had to share, because MAN do I love this stuff.
I had spent a while wondering how to include a collagen-based product into my skincare routine for a while when I stumbled across this product at a Tarte online sale. I got a tester bottle on a whim, but the instant I tried it I wished I had bought the full-size product. First of all, collagen is amazing for your skin. This product boasts that it improves the skin’s plumpness, brightness and firmness and it really does live up to the hype.
Not only that, but my skin feels immediately smoother and incredibly soft directly after application. I love to use this product in the morning as it absorbs super quickly, leaving my face feeling refreshed — and it doesn’t interfere with my makeup application after! I’ve read online that collagen is most effective when ingested (ie. supplements) which I’d love to try, but the effect of this product is clear as day on your face as well.
If this product speaks to you, be sure to check it out here!
Sometime soon I’m going to do a whole post on my full skincare routine, so I’ll keep it brief. I find a lot of toners contain alcohol, which is super drying for your skin. My skin is already incredibly dry as is, so I don’t want to put anything on it that may irritate it more.
Before using this product, I was using the Fresh Rose Floral Toner, which is also a great alcohol free toner for dry skin (and apparently also a setting spray? Which I had no idea about until I searched up the product to add the link but! The more you know!) However, one day went I went to go grab a re-fill, this product caught my eye. The Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner seemed like the same product, only better, so I did a little research. I was hesitant to change products from something I’ve been using for so long as I was worried that the excess hydration would cause breakouts or oiliness.
The one largest complaint online about this product is the rose petals in the bottle clogging the spout (which have yet to be an issue for me), so I decided to go for it. Now that I have, I would never switch back. Yeah, the rose toner was great and didn’t leave me with feelings of tightness or dryness. But this stuff is EVEN BETTER. It contains hyaluronic acid, which is amazing for hydration, as well as being alcohol free.
I’ve been using this stuff for a month or so now and I’ve already seem changes in the freshness of my skin, the hydration, as well as the appearance that my skin is more even and radiant. Seriously, this stuff is amazing. If this sounds like the product you’ve been looking for, check it out on Sephora here!
That’s all for now, be sure to check back in next Tuesday for more!
Sincerely, Meredith 