MAC Technakohl Eyeliner

This is another one of my cousins MAC splurges. I tried this eyeliner in Graphblack.

MAC describes this liner as being "a mechanical pencil-style liner. In formula, soft and creamy, with an intense, rich, colour deposit. Blends on application: dries quickly to a long-wear, non-smudge finish. Versatile. An easy way to line the top and lower lash line of the eye. When applied at a 90 degree angle, provides a thin precision line. For thicker application, apply at a flat angle"

My first impression of this eyeliner is that it was well pigmented however it doesn't smudge or blend easily, but the staying power is very good. I didn't find the formula particularly creamy and it dries pretty quickly so there's not really much play time. It also stays really well on my waterline. This eyeliner is black, not super deep black, but not a steely gray like I find other liners can be. 

I found this eyeliner pretty easy to apply, however it would be nicer if you could get a much thinner. This liner has a tendency to flatten out on the tip which makes getting a thin line very hard.

I would recommend this liner as the staying power is better than some other brands that I've tried.

Blackfly Long Island Iced Tea

Last weekend I picked up this new product at the LCBO. Blackfly Long Island Iced Tea is described by the LCBO as a "Beautiful ice tea color with slightly hazy appearance; aromas of lemon/orange, green tea, cranberry nose; sweet with brisk acidity, light to medium bodied, with flavors of iced tea , candied lemon and a sweet/tangy finish". It claims to have a "Not Too Sweet" taste, is a "classic cocktail that is made with real lemon juice, vodka, tequila, notes of gin, rum and cola" and comes in a pack of 4 - 400 ml plastic bottles. It also has 7% alcohol volume.

At first I didn't really like the taste of this drink. I thought it tasted too much like alcohol, but after a few sips the alcohol wasn't that noticeable and the actual iced tea came to the forefront. The iced tea reminds me a lot of Lipton Brisk, but it definitely has a stronger undertone of lemon. There is also a touch of sweetness, but nothing too overpowering or sickeningly sweet. I think the lack of syrupy sweetness makes this drink more refreshing than a lot of iced tea based drinks I've had.

The 4 individual bottles are very convenient and great for sharing. The resealable top is great if you're having an outdoor barbecue.

This is something that I would purchase again and may become my go-to drink for the summer!

Rimmel Sexy Curves Waterproof Mascara

My sister was raving about the non-waterproof formula of this mascara so I decided that I would try the waterproof formula.

This product promised to make your lashes look "70% curlier". I found that although this mascara added a bit of length there wasn't much, if any, curl to my lashes beyond their natural curl. It also promises to give you  lashes that are “lusciously curled, plumped and defined" with 7 times your natural curl, but I found that this mascara performed pretty average when compared to other drug store brands. An eyelash curler is definitely a must with this mascara. I also didn't find that the pigment in this mascara was as dark or as rich as I like.

The brush that comes with this mascara is actually fairly decent and separates lashes well and keeps them from clumping, even with numerous coats of mascara. It is also relatively easy to use.

I'm sorry to say that the packaging was my favorite part of this mascara. The metallic teal tube was quite attractive.

I'm happy to say that this product was on sale when I purchased it so I didn't pay full price! It's definitely not worth more that the $4.00 that I paid for it.

Dr. Feelgood from Benefit Cosmetics

Dr.Feelgood promises to "mattify shine with our invisible, weightless balm that leaves skin feeling silky-soft. Fabulous for mid-day touch-ups... this makeup artist fave can be worn alone, under or on top of makeup. Contains Vitamins A, C & E to help smooth away the appearance of fine lines". 

I generally use this product as a primer on a clean face before I apply my foundation. The key to this product is to only apply a light layer, if you apply it too thickly you will both see and feel it (which is super gross because if applied too thick it becomes flaky and no one wants to look like a shedding snake!). When applied properly, Dr. Feelgood is a great base for foundation or even to wear on it's own. The product itself is clear when applied but the vitamin A, C and E leave your face feeling silky smooth. The smell of this product is a little lemony with just a hint of baby powder and it comes in an uber cute vintage tin!

This is a product that I would recommend. It definitely takes away the oiliness and shininess from my face and leaves it soft and touchable. I have heard some people complain that this product makes them break out, but everyone's skin is different.

Depending on where you purchase this product it can be a little expensive, however a little bit goes a long way and a single tin will seem to last forever.

Biosilk Silk Therapy

This is one of my favorite hair treatments. My hairdresser was the one who introduced me to this product as I tend to color my hair every few months and it gets quite damaged. This product is great at treating damaged hair, leaving it soft, smooth and shiny.

BioSilk Silk Therapy is a silky, lightweight treatment that dehydrates and protects hair with silk proteins and shine producing botanicals. 

I love using this product on damp hair prior to drying. It is also great to use prior to and after flat ironing. The smell is also very pleasant and I always have people complimenting me on how great my hair smells.

 

This product lives up to the saying "less is more". My hair is about 6" past my shoulder and a dime size amount will cover all of my hair, if you use too much your hair will look greasy and there's pretty much no fix if you use too much other than a slick ponytail or re-washing your hair.

This product can seem pretty pricey (approx. $15.00 for a 5.64 fl. oz - 150 ml - bottle, depending on where you buy it), but the bottle will last you a year or more if you don't overdo it.

This is a product I would recommend to almost everyone, however if you have protein sensitive hair you may want to skip this product as it can make your hair dry and brittle.

L'Oreal Everstrong Reconstruct Shampoo

This product was another one of my Shoppers Drug Mart bill buffers from the sales table.

This shampoo is sulfate-free with a rosemary juniper scent, so if you're looking for a more natural shampoo that also smells nice you may want to try this shampoo. The shampoo is very creamy so you only have to use a small amount to build up a rich lather with a nice smell. 

I have thick, color treated hair that can get dry and damaged at the ends. Many of the other shampoos I have tried do more damage than good but this shampoo has helped to keep my hair smooth, shiny and healthy. I also find that this shampoo makes my hair easier to style and doesn't weigh down my hair.

The only problem I have found with this shampoo is that when you get down to the end of the tube it can be a little difficult to get the last bit out of the tube.

L'Oreal EverStrong Hydrate Conditioner

My sister and I found this conditioner on the sale table at Shoppers Drug Mart. We needed a few more dollars to make our bill high enough to get the bonus Optimum Points so at $3.49 on sale this wasn't a bad deal.

This conditioner has a rosemary and mint scent that smells slightly of rosemary but the mint is the stronger of the two scents. The mint is definitely a welcome scent in the morning, very refreshing and leaves me feeling wide awake! The scent does tend to linger for about and hour after I have dried my hair, but it's not overpowering and doesn't conflict with other scents like perfume.

I've had great results with this conditioner. The conditioner itself leaves my hair hydrated and very soft, which on my color treated hair can be hard for even the most expensive conditioners to do. Even with flat ironing on nearly a daily basis my hair stays smooth, soft and hydrated. I generally shampoo and then leave the conditioner on for a few minutes before I rinse it out. Nothing too special, just everyday maintenance.

This conditioner is definitely worth a try if you have dry or color treated hair and need something to rehydrate your hair.