The Art Walk Collection | Julep September 2014

I actually really, really love this collection.  The only part I didn't one was when Julep casually forgot to ship my red and magenta plush pouts.  I was waiting to post this until they arrived but its been weeks and theres no sign of them.  So...

From left to right: Kirby, Quinn, Mary Lee, Ryan, Elaina, Mahima, Lupita, Fifi, Erin

Elaina, Mahima, Mary Lee, Quinn, Erin, Kirby, Fifi, Ryan, Lupita

For me the real winner this month was Lupita.  Seriously, a perfect coverage creme that simply screams fall.  Paired with the Almond Nude Plush Pout? Perfection.  I was getting compliments all day.  I actually loved both products so much that I ordered backups.  Oops?

I wasn't much of a fan of Mary Lee.  I was really excited about her satin formula.  However she was much darker than I anticipated, had a funky smell, and an awful wear time.  Great in theory, but not so much in practice. 

Swatch time!

I ordered all four Plush Pouts this month, but only two arrived (sad face).  I called Julep and they were nice enough to send me what I ordered.  But they won't  be arriving for at least another week.  Seriously excited to try Cardinal Red.  In general I don't find the core any more moisturizing than the rest of the product.  But thankfully that wasn't the draw of this product for me.

Aurora Pink (top) is pretty, but I find it isn't flattering on my super pale skin.  I find it gives me a bit of a porcelain doll look, but not in a good way.

Almond Nude on the other hand I just can't stop gushing about.  It is just a flawless colour that looks laid back but professional and pretty.  My boss actually said my nail polish (Lupita) and my lip stick were a perfect match.  So clearly she and Julep know whats up.

Swatches of Almond Nude and Aurora Pink!

Lupita looking flawless

This was a little nail experiment I tried and totally fell in love with.  Eliana for a base and Mahima for the accents.

Right now I am not impressed with Julep's shipping and packaging.  I was pretty bummed to be missing out on the two lip products I ordered.  I love Julep, but right now I just don't like them very much.  Over all this collection was out of the park. Plus, being able to upgrade with Jules was a nice little perk ;)

Canadian Brand | Rocky Mountain Soap Company

I am a total sucker for luxe, niche, local soap companies.  Over the next few months I will be reviewing some of my favourite small soap businesses.  

I first stumbled across Rocky Mountain Soap Company two years ago while I was trailing in Banff, Alberta.  I instantly fell in love with the atmosphere of the store, the smell of the soaps, and the quality of their products.  I had such a hard time narrowing down my purchase!  When I was back in Banff last fall I had to pick up a few more pieces.  While I bought some other soaps at that time, this is all I have left!

Rocky Mountain Soap Company soaps can be purchased in the Rockies, select air port gift shops, and a few speciality shops I have seen in Toronto, and of course online.  They are made on site in Alberta (Canmore, I think!) and are filled with good for you ingredients.  I have never felt "dry" after using their soaps.  These retail in the $5-$8 range.  Affordable, but not cheap.  

I would place them in a similar price category to Lush, maybe a little cheaper, but with the benefit that you are supporting a Canadian company that makes a fantastic product.  And of course the benefit that the product is really good for you.

These soaps come all wrapped up in a waxed paper that indicates the type of soap and what they are good for.

Seaweed & Spearmint | Normal Skin Face/Body

This soap smells really fresh-- you can really smell the spearmint.  I love this soap for my face, especially on days that my skin feels extra oily.  Its also a nice relaxing treat to use on my body.  I adore the way it steams up the shower.  When I had a cold the other wayI found it helped clear out my nose which was a nice bonus.

Honey, Oats & Cocoa Butter | Dry Skin - Face

I know this is a face soap but it is such a moisturizing treat to use on my whole body for a nice evening bath.  I can't get over how sweet and luxurious this soap smells and feels.  There are little flecks of oats which are nice for exfoliation.  The honey and cocoa lather up nicely to a soft creamy bubbly delight.

Avocado Facial Bar | Normal/Combination

This bar is a dedicated face bar.  I like that it clears up oil with out being overly drying.  It also has a pleasant gentle scent.  I like keeping this bar on hand for travel because sometimes transporting a konjac sponge isn't easy.

Pumpkin | Extremely Dry Skin

I'm actually not a pumpkin person....no pumpkin pie...no pumpkin spice whatever they ares... none of that for me.  However, if you like pumpkins you will probably like this super moisturizing soap.  I gifted it to a friend and am trusting her word on it.

Conclusions

Of this bunch, my favourite is the Honey, Oats & Cocoa soap because of how utterly wonderful it smells and how luxurious it feels.  Rocky Mountain Soap Company has all sorts of scents, and many other non-soap products such as body butters and bath salts.  You can check them out online here.  If you are ever in the Rockies (especially in Banff) I encourage you to pop by their store and enjoy the whole experience.  I know I will be back next time I am in town!

Deal Alert | Sephora Sale Section

Sometimes when I am bored I check out the Sephora Sale section.  When I checked it out today there were loads of new items including brush sets, Tarte cheek stains, OCC lip tars...you name it!  I've included two screen shots, but its well worth your time to go check it out!

If I was going to buy something it would be the Ole Henriksen set.  I love his products, and need some minis for travel!

Happy shopping!

To check out the Sephora Sale section click here!

In a Rush | How to do your makeup on the run

This morning was just crazy for me!  My alarm went off but I missed it, and I had two super important meetings tray meaning that I couldn't be late, and had to look good.  The only problem?  I didn't have enough time to do both this morning!

So I did what I like to think of my not-yet-patented method:  I did my foundation and blush, and then ran out the door.

When I got to my office I went to the washroom, and 5 minutes later I was ready to go.  Here's how I did it:

1) I picked up a little travel brush set at Walmart the other day.  For $9.95 I got a easy to use little pouch filled with six mini brushes.  I actually bought this for travel, but it sure came in handy this morning!  All of these brushes are eye focused, so when I travel I will also need to pack my face brushes.  But for a morning on the run? Fantastic.

2) I filled the little pouch on the left with a few key essentials:

-Hair elastics for french braids

-Urban Decay Naked Basics

-Mini mascara

-Julep eyelash curler

-Urban Decay eyeshadow primer sample

-Stila Convertible Colour in Peony (lips and cheeks)

-Urban Decay double ended eyeliner

-Smashbox nude liner

-Stila Liquid eyeliner

I was able to use the mirror from Naked Basics to see what I was doing.  I opted for a simple, blended smokey eye.  Of course, I had a lipgloss floating around my purse to bring it all together.

All packed up!  This little brush set was a life saver.  I showed one of the ladies I had lunch with and she insisted I send her the photo.  Who knew that Walmart would be so handy?  I was really happy to find that while the brushes aren't MAC quality, they do pack a good punch.  They are fluffy but stiff enough to pick up product.  The brushes have yet to shed excessively, and are pretty sturdy.  All in all, not bad for $10.  These will make travel much easier!

All packed up!

I was actually going to do a separate post just talking about what a great little find these brushes are, however since they came in super handy this morning I thought I would just toss it in here.

So to sum it up, when you are in a rush, do your foundation and blush, and toss anything else you may need in your purse and do it when you get there.  It helped that I had some shades to throw on in the morning.  If you need to you can always touch up before you go to anything important.  

I just love Walmart finds!

Julep | September 2014 Spoilers

Can you believe that the Maven window opens tomorrow?  This month has gone by pretty quick and I can't even believe I am saying that school is actually just around the corner.

As I am sure you have heard last month was pretty insane for Julep mis-haps.  From ladies getting empty boxes, to obscene numbers of random add ons just added to their boxes, to ladies only getting 1 thing they ordered.  The Canada boxes (apparently) shipped first, however it took 12 days from them taking our money to them giving us our shipping info.  My box still has yet to arrive.  I have even heard that despite sending the wrong items and replacing items people chose with odd replacements the they have been refusing refunds.  All I an say is if my box is wrong they will be hearing from me.

On the bright side I got 1900 free Jules for my troubles (as did many others) which means that with what I already have my box this month will be free.

I have found these spoilers floating around the internet:

The September collection is called "The Art Walk Collection" and I don't know about you, but the "poster" looks circa 1995 to me.  (But not in a bad way)

I suspect that regardless of which box you select that you can pick which lip product you get.  That seems to be their trend lately.

It Girl

Mahima - Amber gold creme (Julep sure loves their golds...Sienna...Margot...)

Ryan - Overcast team satin

Fifi - Tea time pink creme

Classic With a Twist

Quinn - Charcoal purple satin

Lupita - Ripe rhubarb creme 

Bombshell

Kirby - Silver jagged glitter top coat

Eliana - Soft denim creme

Boho Glam

Mary Lee - Oxblood satin

Erin - Oyster grey creme

Wow Julep.  This might be the first time that I can actually see myself wearing every colour, and every lip product.  I love lip crayons, so I know picking my box this month will be a challenge!  I might might opt for the entire upgrade. 

So far there are the products I think I am interested in:

Fifi

Quinn

Kirby

Lupita

Mary Lee

Erin 

Plush Pout - Almond Nude

Plush Pout - Aurora Pink

If I don't go for the full upgrade, I could:

Modern Beauty - Almond Nude and Aurora Pink

Add Ons: Fifi, Quinn or Mary Lee, Lupita

Decisions...decisions.  I will let you know when I make up my mind!  In the mean time, what do you think you will order this month?

Sample Killah Week 4 Update

Well here we are, at week four!  I will have a mini post on the 31st for the last few days of products.  I think the moving forward I will select 10 or 20 samples to use up per month to help keep my stash small.  It has been really enjoyable to discover new products hiding in my drawers disguised as single use junk packs.

By now you know the drill.  I am participating in Kalyn Lord's Sample Killah using up as many samples of any size as I can.

Let's take a look at what I managed to use up this week!

For My Hair

Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Restoring Repair Shampoo - No Buy

Nothing really to report on this shampoo.  Nothing wrong with it, but I didn't love anything either.  I can't wait to get back to my usual shampoo!

Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Restoring Repair Conditioner - No Buy

Perfectly adequate.  I don't have much to report on.  It...conditioned?

The Body Shop Olive Body Wash - No Buy

I was dreading using this because I am not exactly a fan of olives.  In any context.  However this smell was much more gentle than expected.  Still prefer their honey scent!

Ahava Mineral Botanic Body Wash - Buy When I Run Out 

Oh.  My.  Gosh.  This was amazing.  I am a huge fan of Ahava, and have been since I was in Israel visiting the Dead Sea.  Their products are so good for you!  This was no exception.  It had a beautiful, soft, gentle floral scent and lathered up like a dream.

Pantene Curly Shampoo - No Buy

It made my hair slightly more curly?  Noting exciting to report.

Pantene Curly Conditioner - No Buy

Again, this was fine.  I miss my Marc Anthony shampoo and conditioner.  I can't wait to wash my hair on August 1!

Pantene Medium-Thick Shampoo - No Buy

You guessed it!  This was fine.  It did the job.  It didn't suck.

Fekkai Reparatives Argan Oil Shampoo - Buy When I Run Out

It was SUCH a treat to use something with Argan oil in it again!  I love love love this formula but it is so expensive.  I will pick up a bottle as a hair treat one day...until then I will cherish my bottle of conditioner.

Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Shampoo - No Buy

Other than the Fekkai shampoo this was my favourite.  I would buy it if I didn't already have such a great hair product combo going for me.  It irked me that the shampoo was larger than the conditioner though.

Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Conditioner - No Buy

See above.  Loved it, but I love my usual even more.

Keeping Me Soft

St. Tropez Everyday Body Moisturizer Gradual Tan - No Buy

Over all this is a solid product.  However I found it made me streaky and that this was too dark for my complexion.  Guess I will be staying pale!

Nivea Skin Conditioner - Purchase

I really enjoyed this!  I loved how soft it made my body.  I would consider buying this if I saw it on sale or with a points promo.  Not a necessity, but really, really nice.

L'Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream - No Buy

Great product.  But I have enough body butter for my entire family to use daily for the next thousand years.

Random Little Goodies

Bite Whipped Cherry Scrub- No Buy

I love with the smell.  Buuuuut, there's always a but, the scrubbing part just was a huge meh.  I didn't find it exfoliated at all.  I'll stick (sadly) to my Lush scrub.  I wanted so so so badly to love this.

Flower By Kenzo- No Buy

It smelled nice, but I have 100000 other perfumes on my list that I would rather have.  And one lucky perfume will be coming home with me from the Sephora points promotion.

Julep Freedom Polymer Top Coat - Re-Purchased

Great topcoat.  I love the gel look it gives my nails.  I actually have two more on stock pile. I prefer Julep's new top coat, but this one is still a rockstar!

La Petite Robe Noire - Purchased

I seriously have the best boyfriend in the world.  He picked me up the full size one last month.  It looks so pretty on my vanity, I don't want to ruin it.  The full size, of course, atomizes much better than the sample.  I wish I could bathe in this rich, spicy, sexy perfume.

Ojon Hair Oil - Purchased

Bar none, the best hair oil I have ever used.  It smells delicious, and works like a dream.  It manages to tame my stands, protect them, keep them shiny, and not weigh them down.

For My Pretty Face

Shu Umera Cleansing Oil in Brightening - No Buy

This is a fantastic product.  But so is Julep's Bare Face which retails for 2/3 the price.

Ole Henriksen Youth Activating Oil - Re-Purchased

This is a cornerstone to my night time skincare routine.  My face has never been brighter, softer, smoother, or generally happier.  I highly recommend this.

Nivea Mattifying Moisturizer - No Buy

Eh.

Nivea Mattifying Scrub - No Buy

Move along, nothing to see here.

Glam Glow Under Eye Treatment - Buy One Day

Ugh.  SUCH a fantastic product.  Such a painful price ($76).  I want it so badly.  Seriously, it actually fights bags and under eye fatigue.  To stretch out your use of the product use one half of the pod for both eyes.  I might *might* pick this up during the points promo.  Maybe if I win Sample Killah?

Clarins Super Restorative Day - No Buy

Nothing special to report.  It did the job, but there are other products I would recommend first.

Bioderma Cleansing Water - Purchased In Bulk

I totally fell in love with this product with first use.  Now I have a whole entire stock pile.  Two normal sized bottles and a massive bottle.  Oops?  It takes of make-up like a dream.  

Ahava Clear Scrub - Buy One Day

I'm not surprised that I love this product.  I wouldn't mind picking it up to use twice a week.  It is stronger than my daily scrub.  I know its for sale at The Bay.  Maybe in the fall!

Make-up

Benefit PoreFessional- No Buy

I've reviewed this before.  Perfectly fine but I prefer my Hourglass primer.

NARS Orgasm Illuminator- No Buy

Love the colour, but I think the formula can be finicky.  I am going to buy the standard powder blush in Orgasm though.  Super flattering shade!

NARS Super Orgasm Illuminator- No Buy

Same opinions as above, however I find the gold flecks a bit much.  This would be great for a night out, but I don't go out much.  

NARS Copacabana Illuminator - Buy One Day

I own something similar by NARS called Hot Sand (limited edition colour).  This would be a great winter shade.  I love this formula for highlighting.  I will probably pick this up in the winter.

Make Up Forever HD Primer (Original)- No Buy

I like it, but I don't love it.  

Face Shop CC Cream- No Buy

This colour was way off on me!  I swatched it and promptly kept it far far away from my face.

Make Up Forever Pressed Powder - Buy One Day

I really enjoyed using this sample.  I have two of the loose powder minis from this brand to use before I can, in good faith, consider buying this product.

Dior C-Total Base - Buy One Day

One day when I have lots of money I am going to buy this.  However it is really expensive, and that day is not today.  This does a great job though.  Love the finish it creates when used as a primer.  Very...velvety? Matte but radiant? 

Dior Hydralife BB Cream- No Buy

I like this, but I prefer Dior's Nudeskin BB Cream. They Hydralife BB Cream just doesn't come in the right colour for me.

NARS Face Primer- No Buy

This product is perfectly fine, but I already have a favourite.

YSL Gloss Volpé Trio - Purchase

LOVE the unique non-doe foot applicator.  Its more so kiss shaped.  I love the pink (19) and magenta (49) shades of this lip gloss, and have them in my buying plan for when I use my 95,000 points at Murale.

Bioderma Moisturizer - No Buy

Oops.  Wrong section.  I used this on my feet and didn't notice much of a difference. 

Goal - 25

Achievement - 38

Total Samples - 140

Three days to go and I have surpassed my goal by 40 samples.  Let's see if I can use up 10 more by the 31st!  For me the gem of this week was the YSL glosses.  Seriously cannot wait to add those to my (slightly oversized) collection. 

How has sample using been going for you this week?