xoliana
Member Since: July 31, 2016Reviews
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Original
I received a sample of this as a Beauty Insider 100-point perk. The formula of this is very smooth and silky. The texture reminds me of the Benefit Porefessional face primer, only this is for the eyes. It glides on and blends in easily, giving... +
I received a sample of this as a Beauty Insider 100-point perk.
The formula of this is very smooth and silky. The texture reminds me of the Benefit Porefessional face primer, only this is for the eyes. It glides on and blends in easily, giving your eyelids a good base with which to start. It's not overly tacky, like some bases, so you almost don't need to set it with powder before starting your eyeshadow routine. Unfortunately, if you're looking for a primer to provide extra coverage on your lids -- for discolouration or veins -- this won't be of any help.
Eyeshadows go on very easily over this. Even if you have a particularly stubborn shadow which tends to crease or fade throughout the day, chances are you'll have better luck when you apply the primer potion before hand. Everything stays in place all day, no creasing, fading, smudging, or fallout.
This is an excellent eye primer, and it comes in several varieties. It's on the pricey side, but if you wear eyeshadow often and have problems with keeping it in place, this is a worthy investment which will last you awhile.
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Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer
I received a sample of this with a Sephora order. I don't wear liquid foundation, however I do use liquid concealer, powder foundation, and cream blush. I have some issues with larger pores around my nose and cheeks, as well as some noticeable... +
I received a sample of this with a Sephora order.
I don't wear liquid foundation, however I do use liquid concealer, powder foundation, and cream blush. I have some issues with larger pores around my nose and cheeks, as well as some noticeable sebaceous filaments in those pores. I do what I can to minimize that.
This has a very smooth, silicon feel to it. It glides on almost like velvet. It's not greasy or oily, which is good since I have an oily T-zone. I tend to have drier cheeks but this doesn't seem to accentuate that either, probably because it says it has anti-oxidants and is supposed to boost collagen. This formula is equally good for dry and oily skin.
My makeup goes on more evenly after using this. I used this product today, when I was scheduled to have a half hour massage therapy session. My face was pressed into a towel for the duration of my session, and although I had creases in my face afterwards, my makeup hadn't budged, and it didn't budge until I took it off several hours later.
This product really makes every day seem like a great makeup day. If you wear makeup frequently and for long hours at a time, this may be a good investment.
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Listerine PocketPaks
These are such a neat little invention! If you need a burst of freshness for your breath but don't want to suck on a mint or chew on gum, these come in very handy. These strips dissolve quickly and easily on the tongue to provide a minty taste... +
These are such a neat little invention! If you need a burst of freshness for your breath but don't want to suck on a mint or chew on gum, these come in very handy.
These strips dissolve quickly and easily on the tongue to provide a minty taste. One strip is all you need, and it disappears within seconds. If you're prone to bad breath, or just like to freshen up often throughout the day, these are very effective. They're almost too effective, as I find the minty taste can be so strong that these tend to burn my mouth! For me, it's the same as using an alcoholic mouth wash that gives your mouth a burning, stinging effect.
If you don't have a sensitive mouth, these probably won't bother you. If you're similar to me, just use caution!
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Equate Daily Moisturizing Lotion
This is very comparable to the Aveeno lotion, but because it's a "no name" brand, it's much more affordable. This lotion is completely fragrance-free, which is good for sensitive types, myself included. It goes on very smoothly, soothing dry skin... +
This is very comparable to the Aveeno lotion, but because it's a "no name" brand, it's much more affordable.
This lotion is completely fragrance-free, which is good for sensitive types, myself included. It goes on very smoothly, soothing dry skin for up to 24 hours. It's a bit thicker for a lotion, so it does provide more moisture than the lighter varieties. Because it doesn't sink in right away, you can expect to feel a veil of moisture on your skin for the whole day. It doesn't feel sticky or greasy, though.
This comes in a very large container, which is good if you tend to use it every day. My skin tends to feel irritatedafter shaving, and other lotions can cause me to itch, but this one is very easy on my skin. I can use thisevery day without issue.
If you're a fan of the Aveeno and want a cheaper alternative, you might want to give this one a try!
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Crate 61 Organic Lip Balm
Crate 61 Organics is a Canadian company. Their lip balms are 100% organic. I bought this lip balm in the Wild Berries flavour from well.ca. The smell is very nice and fruity, though slightly synthetic, like fruit candies rather than fresh fruit... +
Crate 61 Organics is a Canadian company. Their lip balms are 100% organic.
I bought this lip balm in the Wild Berries flavour from well.ca. The smell is very nice and fruity, though slightly synthetic, like fruit candies rather than fresh fruit. The shape of this lip balm is different from traditional lip balm tubes -- it's an elongated oval, rather than being round. This makes it quite awkward to apply, and I usually hold it vertically so the centre can go over my lips. Unfortunately, this means the lip balm won't wear down evenly.
The consistency is very smooth and light. I don't find that it lasts very well on my mouth. I have a tendency to rub my lips together when I've applied a balm, and whereas other balms will stay on, this one rubs right off within an hour, and I'm constantly reapplying. It doesn't feel like it's conditioning my lips very well.
Due to the shape and lack of moisture, I wouldn't recommend this lip balm. I feel like you could do better for the same price.
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KVD Vegan Beauty Everlasting Liquid Lipstick
I've never tried a liquid lipstick before, but I've been wanting to try one. I love Kat Von D's makeup so I figured I would try one of hers. I bought the shade Backstage Bambi. I am a huge fan of bright lipsticks, particularly bright pink. This... +
I've never tried a liquid lipstick before, but I've been wanting to try one. I love Kat Von D's makeup so I figured I would try one of hers.
I bought the shade Backstage Bambi. I am a huge fan of bright lipsticks, particularly bright pink. This is so gorgeous! Because I've never applied a liquid lipstick, I expected I might have some difficulty with the application due to the fact that they dry so quickly and you have to work fast. I actually managed surprisingly well, and didn't make much of a mess at all.
This is a very thin formula, but it's extremely highly pigmented. I didn't have to go over my lips too much to get an even application. It does dry incredibly quickly, so by the time I moved on to another area of my mouth, the colour had already dried somewhere else. It dries down 100% matte, absolutely zero shine, and zero transfer.
It feels like you're wearing nothing at all, which may deter some people who prefer to rub their lips together and feel something there. You can always top it with a lip balm, to provide more comfort. This can feel slightly drying on the lips, but nothing too terrible. If you already have dry lips, though, you may not like it, as it will accentuate the fact.
I'm so impressed by the colour on this that I want to buy more shades. At the current price point, I can't really afford to do that very often, but as a treat every now and then, I can build a very small collection of favourites over time.
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Thirteen Reasons Why
I thought that this sounded very interesting, so I decided to give it a read. First off, let me say that the premise is definitely unique -- a depressed youth commits suicide and leaves behind recordings for a select few to hear. The book flips... +
I thought that this sounded very interesting, so I decided to give it a read.
First off, let me say that the premise is definitely unique -- a depressed youth commits suicide and leaves behind recordings for a select few to hear. The book flips back and forth between Hannah's story (via her recordings) and Clay's, as he listens to them. This isn't something I've seen before.
However, having said that, this book was a huge miss for me. As someone who suffered from depression and anxiety in my early to mid-teens, even spending time in the hospital for treatment, I actually found this book to be offensive. We the readers are supposed to sympathize with Hannah, as she explains what she's been through and what pushed her to the edge. I found that impossible. The series of events leading to her suicide are so small and insignificant, her attitude so overdramatic, and her solution to blackmail her classmates so soulless, that I just couldn't like her.
The fact that Hannah made the tapes in the first place shows that she blames others, not herself, for what happened. She was angry at everyone else, not sad. Plenty of people were kind to her, but she turned them away, citing that she felt "so alone" and bullied. It's a poorly-written depiction of mental illness in youth and far from realistic.
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The Martian by Andy Weir
I read the description for this online and thought it sounded great. One of my favourite films of all time is "Moon", which was very much about isolation out in space, so I figured this book would be right up my alley. This is an excellent story... +
I read the description for this online and thought it sounded great. One of my favourite films of all time is "Moon", which was very much about isolation out in space, so I figured this book would be right up my alley.
This is an excellent story of isolation and survival. I'm no science buff, but everything in this novel is explained clearly, even for someone unfamiliar with the different processes discussed. This made it easy to understand what was going on without feeling condescended to, which I feel would have compromised both the story and the writing.
The greatest asset this book has is the fact that Mark is such a likeable character. I was rooting for him the entire way through, cheering at his successes and gasping at his failures. There's some really great gallows humour in here to break through the tension, but the climax will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat!
If you're a sci-fi fan, this is a must read. It's a great book.
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The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
If you are a lover of fiction and fantasy of any kind, I'm sure by now you've heard of The Portrait of Dorian Gray. Though the tale has been told in many ways, and the character adapted frequently across several mediums, the original will remain a... +
If you are a lover of fiction and fantasy of any kind, I'm sure by now you've heard of The Portrait of Dorian Gray. Though the tale has been told in many ways, and the character adapted frequently across several mediums, the original will remain a true classic for the ages.
Although Oscar Wilde penned many scripts and poems, this is the sole novel in his collection. If you can find a version of the book that has a detailed foreword, I would highly recommend reading it. There's a lot of interesting trivia on the backstory of Oscar Wilde and how this novel was extremely controversial in its time.
This is a spectacular tale of vanity, corruption, obsession, and immortality. The fact that it has already had suchan enduring legacy speaks to the quality of the writing and just how relevant its allegories are. Dorian Gray has become a pop culture icon unto himself.
Even if you find older books more difficult to read, this one is still very accessible. Its style is not overly verbose or dated, like some other books written around the same time. It's a short book, so you'll burn through it quickly!
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The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
I'm not big on romance novels, but because this had a fantasy/sci-fi element to it, I decided to pick it up. I think this is one of the more unique and enjoyable romance novels on the market, and one which I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Because... +
I'm not big on romance novels, but because this had a fantasy/sci-fi element to it, I decided to pick it up. I think this is one of the more unique and enjoyable romance novels on the market, and one which I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
Because of the time travelling element, this story is fairly non-linear. It jumps around in time, but the writer makes it easy to follow along with the sequence of events. There's a wonderful emotional core to the story, which really helps to connect the reader to the characters and what happens to them. Everything is fully fleshed out, which is important when the focus moves from one point to another quite easily.
This book also spawned a film adaptation, but I personally enjoyed the written version much more. Even if you're not much of a romance reader, this has enough to offer in other aspects that I think casual observers can still find something to like.
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