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Category Archives: Beauty


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Beauty Tool Review: KISS InstaWave Curling Wand

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If you knew me at the beginning of university, you probably thought I had curly hair. For my whole first year I would curl my hair every day, waking up half an hour early or more to make sure I got it perfect. I looked great but it was a lot of work, and as classes got more intense I slowly stopped making the time to do it because it was just too tedious. Nowadays I rarely curl my hair, partly because of the time commitment and partly because the curling iron I used made me look a little too Shirley Temple. But recently I was asked to test out a new curling tool called KISS InstaWave and, as well as giving me beautiful, natural-looking curls, it has cut my curling time in half!

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What makes the KISS InstaWave different from my old curling tools is it’s fully automatic and requires very little effort. My old tools had a clamp that you closed on the end of your hair as you rolled the scorching barrel towards your face, whereas the InstaWave is fully automatic and has a bidirectional curl dial that you press to gently twirl your hair around the wand. The gentle twist prevents your curls from having those wig-like sharp edges, and because you only need to use one hand on the tool you have a lot more control over the way the curls sit. There are two heat settings, so you can choose how hot you want the wand to get (maximum 420F). Another thing I really like about it is it automatically shuts off after 90 minutes, so I don’t have to rush back home for fear that I’ve left my iron on and burnt my house down.

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This wand was sent to me as a gift, but it’s available in Canada at WalMart and in the US at Target, Ulta and Amazon.com. I truly do like it and will be using it to get these beautiful, full curls much more often.

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Irresistible Me Hair Extensions

For years I’ve been curious about hair extensions, so I was excited when Irresistible Me offered me the opportunity to review their clip in extensions! Based in the Fashion District in New York, Irresistible Me offers 100% Remy human hair extensions, preprocessed and dyed to a range of natural shades. Remy extensions are the highest quality human hair extensions because they look the most natural and full. The images below show my before and after wearing Irresistible Me’s Remy extensions in Silky Natural Black, 20 inches long and weighing 200g.

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The difference is clear from the front, my hair not only looks thicker, but longer too! Without extensions it falls just past my ribcage, but with the extensions it brushes my waist, past the end of my crop top. The clip-in extensions are so easy to put in, and the whole transformation takes less than five minutes. They are fully stylable and washable, and can be worn over and over with proper care.

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From the side you can see the increased thickness of my hair, from a ponytail of a few centimeters in diameter to a few inches!

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Finally, the difference the extensions make from the back view is just amazing. It looks so thick and luscious, like a Disney princess!

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Look at Jasmine’s blissful face, that’s how I feel wearing these irresistible extensions. You can check out Irresistible Me at their website, and see more reviews of their gorgeous extensions on their Facebook page!

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Easy Stay-All-Day Makeup with BA STAR Stardust Mineral Eyeshadow

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I have a confession to make: I’m 19 years old, and I’m still in love with glitter. It adds a magical shine to any makeup look, and when I find a good pot of pretty glitter I have to get it for those nights out! When I was approached by BA Star to review their Stardust Mineral Eyeshadow, I was excited to add a new glitter pot to my collection. I received this eyeshadow in Chocolate, which is awesome because I’ve never had a neutral glitter before! I used this stardust with foundation, eyeliner, and deep lipstick to create an easy but elegant five-minute makeup look.

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The stardust is so easy to use: just spread the base over your entire eyelid and use a brush to dust on the glitter. It takes just fifteen seconds for the base to dry, and the shimmery stardust stays in place for hours afterwards, even in the summer heat!

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BA Star makes quality performance makeup for cheerleaders and dancers, and they are offering 50% off when you use our special code, BBDUST at online checkout! I am seriously in love with this eyeshadow, and for just $4.38 (after discount) this is a fantastic deal! It comes with the base as well, so you don’t need to buy any additional products. I’ll definitely be wearing it in both my day-to-day routine and my performance routines!

Want this eyeshadow? Get it here!

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PS: This post was powered by Brand Backer! :)


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Tokidoki Makeup Brushes and Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

tokidoki makeup brushesWhen I was younger, I coveted Tokidoki products. I had the real thing and the imitation - the brand didn’t matter, it was just the adorable characters on the designs that got me! Last year while on a Sephora run, I got these brushes and two-toned shimmer blush at final reduction as they were closing their collaboration with Tokidoki makeup. They’ve since become staples in my daily routine, and I’m going to be so sad when this blush runs out!

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In addition to the Tokidoki products, you can also see my other staples. With the exception of the lip stain, I use all of these items every single day. From left to right in the image above, these products are:

  1. Sephora Mascara
  2. Stila stay-all-day liquid liner
  3. Stila lip stain
  4. MAC blush (I use this tan tone as contouring under my cheekbones and along the lines of my nose)
  5. Tokidoki two-tone shimmer blush
  6. Top right: Sephora foundation (the same one found in my favourite purse with these other awesome accessories)
  7. Bottom right: Clinique smokey eye set in purple tones

 

And in the image below, I have my Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, which I absolutely love and cannot live without. I’ll never go back to lotion for my face after trying this product. I apply it generously after every time I wash my face, and it literally - literally! - makes my skin feel like satin. I’ve never had softer skin, and it works. every. time. Seriously, I challenge you to find me a better moisturizer than this.

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Of course I have to give a nod to my Betseyville makeup bag, which I got in England three years ago. This bag has been around the world with me and is still as shiny as ever. :)

Do you have makeup staples or favourite brushes? Have you tried Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel?

~Sage

 


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Living LUSH

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Walking through a mall, everyone knows where that alluringly sweet scent comes from. It wafts down the halls, calling shoppers of all ages with its siren song and promises of clean, natural beauty products. Once inside LUSH, we’re trapped by the Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory of natural products. Don’t know what I mean? Have a look for yourself!

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You must be thinking…surely she bought something, and this post isn’t just pictures of in-store products?! Of course I did, silly! Granted I didn’t buy nearly as many things as I wanted to, mostly because I don’t take enough baths in the summer to warrant those beautiful salts and bath bombs. Instead, I opted for the BIG shampoo and Veganese conditioner.

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BIG is a seaweed and sea salt shampoo that exfoliates your scalp (it feels soooo good), and leaves you with shiny, soft locks. And the Veganese continues the seaweed ingredient and adds hints of citrus for shine, a lightening effect in the sun, and a wonderful clean scent that lasts until your next wash. I had never tried these products before buying them, but I really like them and would definitely buy again. They’re perfect for breezy summer days and quick, cool showers!

What’s your favourite LUSH product? Let me know in the comments! :D

~Sage

 

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