August 31, 2013

Pore perfection with Neutrogena and Avon!

You can't get rid of your pores but you can make them look a lot less noticeable by keeping them clean which helps the skin look smoother, more even toned and with that, younger!

Neutrogena Pore Refining Daily Scrub - 200ml - $10.99 - cleanses without stripping skin's natural moisture, is gentle enough for daily use and is clinically proven to reduce the look of pores up to 50% in just 2 weeks!

Neutrogena Pore Refining Gel Cleanser - 198ml - $10.99 - use everyday to sweep away dead surface skin and smooth over rough patches without stripping away skin's natural moisture.

Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner - 250ml - $10.99 - visibly reduces the appearance of pores and refines skin with an oil-free alpha and beta hydroxy formula to sweep away dead surface skin without drying out skin and is dermatologist-tested to deliver visible results.

Available at food, drug and mass merchandisers across Canada.
Avon Clearskin Pore Penetrating Invigorating Scrub - 75ml - $7.99 - provides a deep clean that leaves skin feeling revitalized.

Avon Clearskin Pore Penetrating Cooling Toner - 250ml - $7.99 - controls oil and cools skin with chamomile while leaving skin feeling clean and refreshed.

Avon Clearskin Black Mineral Mask - 75ml - $6.99 - with a unique formula that changes from black to white as it dries and has a cooling sensation as the mask starts to tighten and draw out pore-clogging dirt and oil like a magnet. Contains oil-absorbing, lightly scented mineral clay that leaves skin feeling soft and clean.

Avon Clearskin Professional Liquid Extraction Strip - 30ml - $14 - goes on liquid and peel off dry in about 20 minutes to remove pore-clogging dirt and oil instantly! Can be used up to twice a week around nose, forehead, T-zone and chin.

What makes this better then the usual strips is because it goes on liquid you get total contact with the area you are treating unlike strips which don't necessarily adhere perfectly which means that they miss spots!

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Link Love - 31/8/13

Love subtle highlighters? Then be sure to check out Nude Radiance by Burberry Beauty over at Makeup, Beauty & More!

Is luxury skincare worth it? It is when it looks like May Lindstrom's highly covetable line. Get the scoop over at Makeup Morsels.

Love baked eyeshadows? Beauty Reflections shows us the new Mary Kay At Play Baked Eye Trios. They are probably the BEST baked eyeshadows ever made!

Over at theNotice, Rae's found a silicone-free concealer that's basically magic. Yep, magic: it's perfect for covering both dark circles and redness, even on dry skin!

Musicalhouses shows you Illamasqua Collide nail polish, the perfect hot pink for your nails!

polish insomniac was rather harsh in part one of her China Glaze Autumn Nights review. She was relieved when she found lots of nice things to say about part two!

Jenny reviews the new BECCA Sun Chaser collection and creates a spring FOTD at My Funny Valentine.

Prime Beauty highlights a whole face of makeup with each item costing less than $10 in her Top 10 Beauty Products for under $10 feature!

Fleurissante has made a brief guide - everything you need to know about sunscreen.

At Musing on Beauty, Mariella gets her hands on a few items from the new Illamasqua Sacred Hour collection. Check out her review!

Can a washcloth be worth $33? Gouldylox Reviews wouldn't have thought so, but this one is!

See what made the cut for Phyrra's Beauty & Hair Favorites for the Month of August!

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed proves that coloured mascara doesn't need to be scary - check out her Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara swatches and see if they inspire you to switch from basic black!

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Beauty Info Zone loves a great giveaway and this time we have cosmetics from Painted Earth to share internationally. This runs through September 5, 2013 Eastern Time so get on over to see what the fuss is about.

Beauty Spotlight Team - August 31, 2013

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog is transfixed by the novel firm oil texture of Bare Love Beauty Luxury Skin Fuel Night-Time Recovery Treatment, and is thrilled by how this potent serum works wonders on the skin!

While Jessika from polish insomniac did not love the entire China Glaze Autumn Nights collection, she did love half of it! See which half it was!

Such a beauty in the palette, but does it perform? Visionary Beauty shares her thoughts on the Chanel Mystere quad from the Superstition Fall collection

It's time to share an international giveaway on Beauty Info Zone. Painted Earth has some amazing natural cosmetics that we just rave about. Here's a chance for two people to win a package of goodies. Open through September 5, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Good luck.

Perilously Pale shows us the new Benefit Rockateur Boxed Blush in all its rose gold glory.

Prime Beauty issues a GUSH ALERT for the Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con Eyeshadow Palette in Starlet. She hasn't been this verklempt since her teen crush on Bobby Sherman in the 70's.

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed goes dotty with a whole bunch of different polka dot nail effects - check out her swatches and see which one you like best!

Pammy Blogs Beauty shares her favorite LUSH products for beauty and pregnancy pampering and gives the scoop on her LUSH store tour!

15 Minute Beauty may have reviewed several Nars Eye Paints but now she wants more. check out to see which you will be wanting too.

August 30, 2013

Take the day off gently (and cheaply) with Almay, The Body Shop and Maybelline!

Babying your eyes when taking off makeup is never a bad idea which is why I always make sure I use something that says gentle on the label! Many of my favourite removers are great but also ridiculously expensive and since remover is not one of the things I think needs to have big money spent on, I've been searching for alternatives that work just as well but don't cost the big bucks!

As an added bonus, all of these have been ophthalmologist and allergy tested making them safe for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes.

Almay Longwear & Waterproof Gentle Eye Makeup Remover - 118ml - $7.50 - with a liquid bi-phase formula that quickly and effectively removes stubborn eye makeup without irritation without depositing an oily residue but still adding moisture. If you prefer the pre-moisened pads, there are also a couple of new versions of them as well: Lash Care Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads and Soothing & Depuffing Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads.

All now available at drug and mass merchandisers across Canada.
The Body Shop Camomile Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover - 250ml - $16 - with a soothing and non-oily formula that gently removes make-up from lashes and lids in seconds with Community Fair Trade camomile oil from over 100 camomile flowers.

Available at The Body Shop and thebodyshop.ca.
Maybelline Clean Express Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover - 120ml - $7.99 - with a revolutionary dual-phase quickbreak oil-free formula that instantly removes even the most stubborn makeup - including longwear and waterproof!

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Enough prestige beauty to totally blow your mind is available at the new Toronto Eaton Centre Shoppers Drug Mart beautyBoutique!

Looking for 4,000 square feet of beauty wonderfulness? Look no further then the latest and greatest Shoppers Drug Mart enhanced beautyBoutique at the Toronto Eaton Centre. 

Featuring new fixtures, digital signage and all the bells and whistles that will provide customers with a luxurious retail environment complemented by a wide assortment of prestigious brands.
21 prestige brands to be exact including most of my favourites including: Chanel, Guerlain, Darphin, Clarins, Clinique, Smashbox, Stila, Shiseido, Elizabeth Arden, Lise Watier, Purminerals, Bourjois, Anna Sui, L'Occitane, Lancome, Biotherm, Clarisonic and did I say Chanel?!
All the skin care you will ever need in it's own special derm section and is the only place in the Toronto Eaton Centre where you can pick up dermatological brands such as Vichy.
And a vast selection of fragrances displayed in a way that makes them easy to find and sample!
Beauty has gone high tech - starting this fall at all beautyBoutique stores, the Beauty Advisors will be equipped with iPads that they (with your permission) will use to capture customer info regarding preferred brands which will allow them to inform you about upcoming promotions and events that you would want to know about as well as help them keep track of what you have bought or sampled at the store - meaning you will never have to wander around aimlessly again wondering what the heck it was you bought last time so you can pick it up again (or avoid it)!
Best part, I can buy all the boring crap necessary to life like toilet paper and vitamins and redeem my Optimum Points for Chanel - it doesn't get any better than that my friends!

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Eau De Toilette

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Eau De Toilette - 30ml EDT - $60, 50ml EDT - $76, 100ml EDT - $106 - a fresh floral fragrance with sparkling fruity notes with top green notes as well as rose and jasmine; heart notes of black cherry, orange blossom blackcurrant and apple; and base notes of white amber, white musk and patchouli - a new version of the original that is meant to be lighter and more romantic.

I like the original version of this one and don't always appreciate the tinkering they do to update a scent, but in this case this one is a big improvement for me! This version has more fruitiness, which I love and of course I love that this one has a pink juice - more pink is always better!

Available now exclusively at The Bay and then at all Guerlain counters come September 15th.

- Lisamarie -

August 29, 2013

Sensitive types wanted to test drive Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Foaming Daily Cleanser!

If your sensitive little skin has been crying out for a new cleanser to baby it, you need to try:

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Foaming Daily Cleanser - 354ml - $10.99 - with a paraben, soap and dye-free  formula that features a unique polymer that binds surfactants together so they don't penetrate the skin eliminating the potential for irritation and resulting in an super gentle cleansing experience while still thoroughly removing excess oil, dirt and even makeup without stripping and damaging - to leave skin looking clean and healthy.

Better yet, why not check out a free one! We're looking for 7 Canadian sensitive (skinned) Beauty Crazed readers who would like to try out Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Foaming Daily Cleanser and tell us what you think of it!

Just leave a comment letting us know that you want to be a Neutrogena Ultra Gentle guinea pig and that you are willing to try it and send back your thoughts to us before the end of September. 

Once you leave your comment, send us an e-mail at info@beautycrazed.ca with your full name and address.You have until September 6th to enter at which time we will randomly draw 7 names and send out the cleanser for you to try. We'll be posting your reviews at the beginning of October.

- Lisamarie -

Needful Things - LaCoupe Awapuhi Wild Ginger Shampoo & Conditioner!

I'm a sucker for anything that smells great so it's no wonder that I can't get enough of the scent of:

LaCoupe Awapuhi Wild Ginger Shampoo & Conditioner - 750ml - $7.99 - formulated to repair damaged hair and prevent future damage inflicted by heat, chemical and environmental stressors with ultra-moisturizing products that will leave your locks impeccably soft and radiant.

The line is formulated with Awapuhi - a native Hawaiian plant renowned for its intense hydrating properties, helps to build the hair's cuticle while creating a silky, smooth surface. The rich formula locks out humidity and is rich in lipids which work to re-build the hair shaft, leaving the hair stronger and visibly softer.

Paraben-free, safe for coloured hair and will leave your hair so beautifully scented that you will spend all day smelling it!

Available now at stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Stick it to your lips with Hourglass, mark. and Bite Beauty - with swatches!

Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo + Satin Finish - $35 - in 6 shades: Nude No 1 - pale pink nude, Nude No 2 - honey beige nude with warm tint, Nude No 3 - medium rose nude with hint of pink, Nude No 4 - pink beige nude with hint of deep rose, Nude No 5 - golden peach nude with luminosity, Nude No 6 - deep mauve nude - with a creamy full coverage formula and satin finish.

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.
Nude No 5 - I agree that the coverage is full but I don't find the formula that creamy, it's actually quite light so not very moisturizing - I do love the luminous finish of this shade though!
mark. Color Me In Lip Crayon - $12 -in 3 shades: Punch Line, Honey Dip and Wine Bar that offer a lip gloss and liner in one convenient pencil that provides sheer-to-medium coverage and a glossy finish with colour that lasts for hours and keeps lips looking soft and feeling moisturized.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.
Punch Line
Bite Beauty High Pigment Matte Pencil - $28 - in 20 shades: Tart - soft cherry red, Toast - warm red, Quince - rose berry, Meritage - brick red, Bouquet - peachy pink, Bramble - black current, Grapevine - fuchsia, Honey Berry - toasted almond, Pomegranate - rich red, Velvet - vibrant rose pink, Chablis - soft coral rose, Rhubarb - plum rose, Amarone - raisin berry, Madeira - nude pink, Zinfandel - electric coral, Tannin - deep poppy red, Poppy - bright poppy red, Violet - lavender violet, Corvina - bright coral pink, Syrah - nude peach - A long-lasting, matte lip colour made with a double-dose of premium micronized pigments for a modern matte look. Also contains super antioxidant resveratrol, which fights free radicals with potent long-term antiaging benefits - each lip pencil contains the amount of resveratrol found in five glasses of red wine!

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.
Quince

- Lisamarie -

August 28, 2013

Eye Love Wednesday - The Body Shop Colour Crush Eyeshadows

The Body Shop Colour Crush Eyeshadows - $10 - in 22 fashion forward shades in a mix of pearly and matte finishes: Melt My Heart, Pink Crush, Oh Honey, Golden Girl, Sand By Me, Caramel Flirt, Coconuts About You, Chocolate Linger, Brownie & Clyde, Mon Cherry, Grape Expectations, Black Currant Affair, Midnight Flirt, Boyfriend Jeans, Something Blue, Blue Over You, Sweet Pea, Fig Leaf, Sugar Gaze, Steel My Heart, Smokin' Hot, Moonlight Kiss - intensely pigmented, blendable and buildable shades that can be applied wet or dry, worn alone or love to be layered!

I'm particularly loving Sand By Me - a sandy taupe that is the perfect colour wash for days when I am too lazy (that would be like everyday) to "do" my eyes!

And don't worry, no living things (creepy or otherwise) were harmed in the making of these - they are 100% cruelty free and don't contain any bug shell extract to colour the product, the shimmer effect comes from mineral mica and the binding agents are made from natural vegetable materials instead of crushed shellfish.

Available now at your local The Body Shop store or online at www.thebodyshop.ca.


- Lisamarie -

Serious retail therapy is coming your way with Shop 'Til You Drop and ShopCrawl!

Canada’s biggest shopping party is back - for 10 fun, shopping-filled nights this fall, LOULOU’s Shop 'Til You Drop brings the ultimate retail experience to a city near you. In addition to the discounts (up to 30 per cent), shopping enthusiasts can look forward to style advice, makeovers, giveaways, swag bags, contests and more.

Fall Shop 'Til You Drop Locations and Dates

·       September 4: Carrefour Laval Fashion Centre, Laval, Que. (5 to 9 p.m.)

·       September 5: Promenade Saint-Bruno Fashion Centre, St. Bruno, Que. (5 to 9 p.m.)

·       September 7: Laurier Shopping Centre, Quebec City (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

·       September 10: Galerie d’Anjour Fashion Centre, Montreal (5 to 9 p.m.)

·       September 11: Fairview Pointe Claire Fashion Centre, Pointe Claire, Que. (5 to 9 p.m.)

·       September 20: Polo Park, Winnipeg (5 to 9 p.m.)

·       September 24: Chinook Centre, Calgary (5 to 9 p.m.)

·       September 26: Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby, B.C. (5 to 9 p.m.)

·       October 3: Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto (5 to 9 p.m.)

·       October 10: West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton (5 to 9 p.m.)

Shopping enthusiasts at each location can:

Visit the ultimate LOULOU closet for the latest advice on trends and personalized style tips

Enjoy cutting-edge fashion presentations by LOULOU’s experts and hosts from Breakfast Television and Cityline

Look forward to exclusive discounts and gifts from participating retailers

 Plus, if you RSVP now you'll be automatically entered in the THOMAS SABO contest. There are up to $3,000 in prizes to be won

Visit http://www.shopdroploulou.ca/ to find out more about the Shop 'Til You Drop party near you and to RSVP.
ChickAdvisor, and the country’s number one fashion and beauty magazine, FASHION, have partnered to host ShopCrawl, presented by the new 2014 Ford Fiesta. The event will take over Toronto's Bloor Street from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013 for an evening of spectacular fall shopping.

$15 tickets for ShopCrawl include:

Exclusive discounts at Banana Republic, Calvin Klein Underwear, Gap, Guess, H&M, Nine West, Pandora and more from 6 to 9 p.m.

A selection of top fall trends chosen by the editors of FASHION and ChickAdvisor, available for purchase at participating retailers

Fantastic gift bags valued at more than $200, including fabulous hair, makeup and skincare treats, as well as shopping fuel.
 
Shoppers can upgrade their tickets to include a fabulous after party for an additional $10, which includes complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the Bata Shoe Museum from 9 to 11 p.m.

Get your ticket at: www.chickadvisor.com/shopcrawl

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Catwalk inspired Nivea Soft!

A favourite cream of mine just became a little more fashionable with some help from designer Giles Deacon who has created a fun and colourful catwalk inspired design for the jar that is pretty enough to grace any dressing tale:

Nivea Soft - 200ml - $10.99 - a quick absorbing, soft moisturizing cream with Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil for intensive moisture that can be used on the face, body and hands.

Available at major drug, food and mass merchandisers for a limited time so don't wait to grab yours!

- Lisamarie -

August 27, 2013

Crown yourself with a braid courtesy of Goody!

Every girl needs a crown and if you didn't manage to snag Wills (or his hunky brother) a crown made out of your hair might be the best you're going to do!

1. Start on one side of the head, just above the ear, and separate 3 small strands of hair and cross them over and under, securing with a Good Classics clear elastic.

2. Pull the braid over the top of the head and secure on the opposite side with Goody Colour Collection mini bobby pins.

3. Go back over the braid pulling or fanning out the strands to expand and loosen the braid for a more relaxed look.

4. Pin back bangs or loose tresses to conceal where the crown braid began.

5. Accessorize! Keep it simple with a jewelled Spin Pin or go crazy and replace the suggested clear elastics and plain bobby pins with their more counterparts!
Goody Jeweled Spin Pins - $4.99

Goody Ouchless Lucky Rainbow Elastics with charm - $5.49

Goody Glam Girl Bobby Slides - $5.39

Available at Walmart, Jean Coutu, Loblaws and London Drugs.

- Lisamarie -

New and exciting from Consonant Skincare - the multi-tasking DHE Mask!

Consonant Skincare DHE Mask - 75ml - $45 - this 100% natural hard-working mask offers 3 benefits in just one application:

It detoxifies with two types of clay: Chinese Kaolin Clay which improves blood circulation and helps eliminate waste and toxins and mineral-rich Manicouagan Clay as well as clarifies with the help of willow bark and tea tree extracts;

hydrates and nourishes with shea butter, grapeseed oil, sea buckthorn oil, argan oil, help seed oil and sugarcane extract;

and offers gentle exfoliation with fruit acids from sweet orange, lemon and bergamot and a salicylate to enhance ecfoliating and leave skin super soft.

I tend to be a spot mask user meaning I will dot a clay mask in my oily areas and a moisturizing mask in my dry bits so this mask is a great timesaving find for me - a mask that sorts out both my issues at the same time without drying out the dry parts or greasing up the oily parts! I wasn't necessarily convinced that it could do both things without making one of the problems worse but it really is a great balancer.

I'm also a fan of the smell and texture - it has a refreshing minty/botanical scent and a clay/moisturizer hybrid texture which makes it stick better then a moisturizing mask but easier to rinse off then a clay mask.

My tip - use it after a session with your Olay Pro-X Microdermabrasion + Advanced Cleansing System for even better results - skin so soft and smooth babies butts will be jealous!

Available at the Consonant Skincare flagship store at 2479 Yonge Street in Toronto, online at www.consonantskincare.com and boutiques across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat - with swatches!

Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat Textured Nail Colour - $7.95 - in 8 shades: All Yarned Up, Fuzzy Fantasy, Fuzz-Sea, Peach Fuzz, Tight Knit, Tweedy, Wool Knot and Wool Lite - with blurred, woven and marbled fiber looks resembling hand-spun yarn are combined in a multidimensional network of colour to create a matte finish with a fibered texture effect.

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.
All Yarned Up
Fuzz-Sea
Tweedy
 
 
They aren't the easiest thing in the world to apply - the little bits have minds of their own and don't always stay where you try and put them - these picture are 3 coats - if I had wanted total coverage I would have added a couple more coats -  base colour underneath would also help!

- Lisamarie -

August 26, 2013

Mascara Monday - Mary Kay Lash Love Masara in Green and Plum - with swatches!

Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara - $21 - in 2 limited edition shades: I ♥ Green and I ♥ Plum - if you like the idea of coloured mascara but aren't looking for anything too dramatic then these are worth a look!
Here's the Green - it doesn't scream "look at me, I'm green!" but the colour can be seen if you pay attention.
And here's the Plum - which is a better choice if you want some colour, but is a little less noticeable.

Available through your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant - if you don't have one you can find one at - www.marykay.ca or 1-866-455-5454.

- Lisamarie -

Olay Pro-X Microdermabrasion + Advanced Cleansing System

Olay Pro-X Microdermabrasion + Advanced Cleansing System - $46.99 - get professional results at home without the high spa cost or the hassle of having to put on pants!

The system offers two professional treatments in one system: microdermabrasion and daily cleansing with one 3-speed gentle cleansing device.
The three speed device has Stay Speed™ Technology, which allows the system to deliver just the right amount of power when applied to the face to keep a constant speed, ensuring a consistent and professional cleansing and microdermabrasion experience.

Advanced Cleansing Treatment – The device’s first two speeds allow for daily gentle cleansing (speed 1) or daily deep cleansing (speed 2), and can be used two times daily with the Facial Cleansing Brush and Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser to renew skin’s texture for a more even and a gentle cleanse.

Advanced Microdermabrasion Treatment – The rotating tool’s new third speed (speed 3), Microdermabrasion Foam Head and Thermal Crystal Polisher exfoliate to remove discolouration, a root cause of uneven skin tone. For best results, use the Microdermabrasion speed no more than once every three days or every 72 hours with the Microdermabrasion foam head and thermal micro crystal cleanser.

If you are familiar with the original Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System and already a fan you'll be happy to know that the addition of the Microdermabrasion option makes it that much better! And if you hadn't tried it yet, this is the perfect excuse - double the skin care options for only a few bucks more then what the first sytem cost!

I've had great results following the microdermabrasion session with a mask - getting rid of all the dead skin and crap first helps the mask absorb so much better and you'll be amazed at how soft and smooth your skin will feel afterwards!
The kit contains: One 3-Speed Rotating Facial Cleansing Tool; Olay Pro-X Thermal Crystal Polisher (20mL); One replaceable Microdermabrasion Foam Head; Olay Pro-X Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser (20mL); One replaceable Facial Cleansing Brush; and two AA batteries.

Also available to supplement when needed:

Olay Pro-X Microdermabrasion Refill Kit - $23.99 - includes a 50 mL bottle of Thermal Crystal Polish and one replaceable Microdermabrasion Foam Head.

Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System Refill Kit - $13.49 - includes two replaceable Facial Cleansing Brushes.

Olay Pro-X Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser - 177ml - $19.99

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Guest Post - Pink Sith pretends she knows how to apply Avon Nail Art Design Strips!

Hi! It's Elvira from The Pink Sith Blog! I'm back again to be tortured by Lisamarie with nail stickers. There is a special place in hell waiting for Lisamarie, and it's full of nail stickers that will never apply smoothly. I'm sure of it. But because she asked, and I am oh so benevolent, I agreed to do another review for nail stickers for you, her readers. I guess this is kinda how NAFTA works since I'm an American blogger doing business in Canada for a Canadian Blogger. Or maybe not. Anyway. Let's talk about Avon Nail Art Strips.
Avon Nail Art Design Strips - $10/18 strips - in 19 designs: Bedazzled, Bows For You, Catch The Wave, Check You Out, Cheetah Pink, Color Shock, Crystallized Black, Denim Stars, Dozen Roses, Hot Pink Bling, Inner Animal, Mosaic Flowers, Zebra Bling, Starstruck, Racy Lacy, Sweetly Laced, Swirled Blues, True Zebra and Red Hot Lace.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

I was sent the strips in the Sweetly Laced design. This is a light pink beige color with an intricate black lace type design over it with small 3-D dots of faux pearls. 
As you can see from the instructions on the back, the nail strips have a simple application and removal - stick on, peel off. Of course, half of the directions were written in French. I was a C student in French, and even with a recent trip to Montreal, I still cannot speak or read it very well. But being an expert at all things nail stickers, I didn't need no stinkin' directions!
OK. Maybe I didn't need directions, but I totally fudged the index finger nail on this application. That one was applied on my cuticle rather than right above it...but the rest of them went on correctly. The Avon Nail Art Strips were surprisingly easy to apply, and they stayed flat very well despite the high arch of my nails. I'm a special snowflake, so many fake nails and nail strips are not arched high enough to fit my delicate princess special snowflake fingers.

I wore these nail strips for 2 days before I went slightly insane and peeled them off. I will say that they peeled off quite easily and didn't tear up my natural nails. There was a slight adhesive residue left behind on some nails, but nothing that a little acetone remover couldn't get rid of.

Before I went mental and peeled off the nail strips the only ones that lifted were the one on my index finger on my left hand because of user error (mentioned above), and the index and middle fingers on my right hand because I use my right hand more and I like to give people the finger.

I was impressed with the Avon Nail Art Strips lasting through my rigorous daily routine of...

Applying lipstick...
 
using the TV remote...
talking on the phone...
and playing Candy Crush (I'm totally addicted)!

There was some lifting that occurs as I mentioned, but that was mostly due to user error. The design looked nice and stayed looking nice the entire time, and I received compliments on my nails from myself and my 6 year old son.

Oh and just wondering...what sort of item should I send to Lisamarie to review on MY blog? I would like to start torturing her as much as she tortures me...you know, because of NAFTA and stuff.



- Elvira -

August 24, 2013

Out damn (acne) spot with Tanda, Vichy and Neutrogena!

Tanda Zap Power - $79 - uses safe, powerful blue light technology to destroy the bacteria on your skin that causes acne without drying it out. With sonic vibration and gentle warming to help open up the pores and make the blue light more effective. Works immediately to reduce redness, blemish size and inflammation - and is easy to use, just 2 minutes - 3 times a day - and it's compact and rechargeable so you can take it anywhere!

I personally also use mine for cold sores - the same heat that kills acne bacteria also kills the cold sore bacteria and makes them go away much quicker! Just be sure and clean the tip off with alcohol (rubbing not drinking) afterwards!

Available at The Bay, thebay.com and tanda.ca.
Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot - 15ml - $21 - prevents and diminishes acne with an invisible, fragrance-free anti-spot treatment that has a “bandage effect” which uses a formula of hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and LHA - to form an invisible protective barrier, exfoliate dead skin cells, and act against bacteria to treat unwanted spots. It also has a great applicator which keeps you from having to touch your face and spread more germs around!
 Available at drugstores across Canada.
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Spot Gel For Acne-Prone Skin - 15ml - $8.99 - a clear gel with salicylic acid, clinically proven to reduce pimple size, redness and height in just four hours.

Available at drugstore and mass merchandisers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -