Sephora: GlamGlow SuperMud and YouthMud

GlamGlow - SuperMud Clearing Treatment.

The package says to use it as mask or spot treatment. I used it as a mask simply because I just had a sample size and there wasn't enough to keep for a second application. The SuperMud goes on a beautiful dark blue and it's smooth with a slight bit of grit, due to the charcoal found within. The scent to me was of black liquorice with eucalyptus and floral undertones. This product really delivers as a mask. It gave me those satisfying pore 'dots' - on the package it is described as pore extraction, and it got nice and tight on my face before washing off. It had a nice tingle, due to the combination of 6 different acids. It washed off easily, which is an important quality in a mask, and left my skin feeling very clean but not stripped. I used it after taking off my Halloween makeup and my skin sure thanked me. 

GlamGlow - YouthMud

I can't say enough about how amazing this mask smells. It contains green tea and smells so good you want to eat it. Well at least I do... This mask goes on differently than the SuperMud. This is more 'muddy' due to the sea clay. It has volcanic rock as an exfoliant so it has a grittier texture and chunks of the tea leaf. All of its claims I found true; it left my skin smooth and soft, and with a nice glow. I have been using this mask weekly and my skin has felt smoother and more hydrated than normal. I will definitely continue to use this throughout the winter months when my skin gets really dry and flaky. 

Epic Blend Lip Balm

Can you guess what my favourite lip balm is? By far, Epic Blend is the best balm I've tried. You can probably tell - I keep one in the bathroom, one by the bed, one in my exercise bag, one in my purse.... You probably get the idea! 

Their hemp balm is extremely moisturizing and has great flavour. I've used other hemp balms before and have found them dry and clinical tasting. Their non-hemp blends are made with ingredients like coconut oil which give them a great texture as well. Regardless of the type of balm, Epic Blend is smooth and long lasting.

The flavours are all delicious and they have a wide variety to choose from. My first Epic Blend was the coconut hemp, and is my favourite. It tastes like a day on a tropical beach. The other flavours are amazing as well, and not at all artificial. The vanilla tastes like real vanilla beans, the citrus kick is a delicious mixture of orange and grapefruit. The mint tastes like pure spearmint and the apple and grape flavours are equally as realistic. Of course there are other flavours too - I quickly used up my Berry flavoured vegan balm, which had a drier texture but was super long lasting. My husbands favourite is the unflavoured 'more moisture,' and he has gone through at least 3 tubes so far. As a construction worker, he needs something that will withstand the elements, and he keeps asking me to buy more tubes for him, so that must mean something.

I love that this is a locally and Canadian made product. The company is based out of Kelowna, BC, and so I feel great supporting a company in my own backyard. Buying online is easy at their website, epicblend.com, or find it at your local health food store. Since discovering this brand I haven't bought another brand, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes good quality, all natural products that you feel good about using.

Shiseido Lipstick

For my first post I thought I'd really start off with a bang - my ultimate lipstick, 'Shimmering Rouge' by Shiseido. My first tube was a gift. Definitely not something I would think to buy for myself, having never bought it before and not being a typical lipstick wearer. From The Bay, this lipstick runs around $30 per tube. But after my first tube (and using it up) I had to buy another.
I'm sure many people could find reasons not to spend this much on lipstick. A total splurge, I will admit, but it is every bit worth the money you spend. It is moisturizing enough not to need a separate base of balm, which I find is true for a lot of other brands. It goes on smoothly and is creamy and gives great colour and shine without being too dramatic. The case is sleek, attractive and solid - no loose lids or ones that fall off while being bumped around in your purse.
I've read other reviews and some claim that this is a plumping lipstick, but I've never noticed it to tingle or to have that sort of effect on me. I have fairly thin lips and have tried plumping balms before but never liked the sensation of them. But what I do like and appreciate about this lipstick is that you do get a nice shimmer but it doesn't make your lips look thin, which shiny colours tend to do.
Normally I am a gloss girl, but I will definitely be keeping a tube of Shimmering Rouge in my makeup arsenal!

Welcome

I'm a teacher. A high school science teacher at that. So you can probably all guess what my day to day style is like.... Finished laughing yet? But over the past year or so I've really become interested in changing things up and learning about how to take care of my skin and play with my look. I'm 30 something now and while I've never abused my skin, I've started noticing 'the change' happening. With a recent daring move to go platinum, and a wicked pixie cut to go along with it all, I decided to up my game and really start having fun. Why not?
This blog will be dedicated to some of my favourite products. Thanks in part to a subscription to topbox.ca, I've got lots of great items I'd like to share with you. Some 'hots & nots' and hopefully pics and video tutorials to come. Thanks for joining me!!
#beauty #style #canadiangirl #teacherstyle