Mail of the Week (August 29 - September 2)

My prize from Karen's 200th Post Giveaway: I was absolutely thrilled to win this amazingly generous giveaway! The main prize was two MAC lipsticks of my choice, but Karen also included some of her favorite products!

• MAC Glaze Lipstick in Hue (soft pale pink)


• MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Shy Girl (creamy neutral coral beige)


• Barry M Nail Paint in Vivid Purple


• Barry M Nail Paint in Peach Melba


• GOSH Nail Lacquer in Holographic


• Essence Colour & Go Quick Drying Nail Polish

Hue (top), Shy Girl (bottom)

Thank you so much Karen, I'm totally over the moon!

Erotica books from Greenleaf Book Group: I was sent two books from Craig Odanovich: The Black Widow Trainer and Captured Prey. I've been really into erotica books lately - not, it's not porn! - so I was happy to receive the opportunity to read and review these two books.

The Black Widow Trainer ($11.66 at Amazon.com)

Join the Black Widow Trainer in her sultry world of steamy, heart-pounding adventure. 

Bored with tedium of her passionless marriage, Misty's life explodes after a weekend of mind-blowing sex with the man of her dreams. Exploring the physical limits of her newfound desire, she combines the lure of her honed, disciplined body with cunning business acumen and redefines herself as the Black Widow Trainer, a high-price personal trainer/escort. 

Negotiating an open relationship with her husband is the easiest part of her career move. Adjusting to the whims and demands of her well-heeled and imaginative clients, however, requires Misty to expand the limits of her sensual being. 

The genre-busting novel features a cast of original, gritty characters, including an Alaskan sea captain, a pint-size satyr, and a genderbending woman, Misty's fantastic sexcapades in exotic locations around the world are hot enough to fire up anyone's sex life.

Captured Prey ($11.66 at Amazon.com)

After enjoying a brief but sultry respite in Argentina with her best friend Gabriella, Misty--the high-price personal trainer with a unique, controversial clause in her contract--embarks to the United States to meet her next trainee. What she finds under the hot Texas sun shocks and captivates her, and she ends up caught in a wrenching dilemma that causes her to choose between love and career. 

As she sorts out her feelings for an intriguingly handsome cowboy and his conniving, cowardly employer, Misty's sexual appetite and lust for adventure take her from honky-tonks to bustling Copacabana Beach festivals--and land her in the crosshairs of a scheming DC politician hell-bent on taking down an opponent in an upcoming election. 

Captured Prey is populated with a new set of impossible-to-forget characters, plus some key favorites from the first book. As always, Misty's blend of wiliness, sensuality, and wide-eyed innocence helps her charm everyone she meets. Surprises await at every turn in this seductive, action-packed follow-up.

Coupon from Save.ca for a free Kinder Surprise Egg

Samples of Zanta 150 Maximum Strength and a $2.50 mail-in rebate from LivingWell.ca

♥Up All Night - Blink-182

Tag: Summer Besties

I'm not a big fan of tags (even though I enjoy reading them), but I've seen this one on YouTube and on some blogs and I thought it was quite interesting so I decided to give it a go!

Favorite summer...

Lip product - MAC Lazy Day Lustre Lipstick I was extremely lucky to win this gorgeous lipstick from Kim. Because of my dry lips, I don't wear lipstick as often as I would like to, but this one is definitely a favorite of mine. It's a perfect pale pink that doesn't make me look like a ghost even though I'm pale, and I like its glossy finish.

Blush - Annabelle Mineral Powder Blush - Au Naturel I've never been a big fan of mineral makeup because it tends to be a mess to use, but I love this blush regardless. Yes it goes everywhere on the bathroom counter when I try to put it on, but the color is just so natural and perfect, it's definitely worth it. This blush is easily buildable and provides a natural and radiant glow thanks to its slightly shimmery finish.

Nail Polish - Barry M Nail Paint in Mushroom Barry M is not available in Canada as of yet, but I was very lucky to receive this nail polish to try and review. It's one of the best drugstore nail polish I have tried so far! It lasts a week with minor chips, the formula is great and you barely need two coats to achieve perfect opacity. Mushroom is a super pretty taupe shade that has quickly became a staple of mine.

Bronzer - Annabelle Zebra Bronzing Powder in Haute Gold (the original question was "Liquid face product" but I don't use any) I reviewed this a long time ago, and even if I had the chance to try numerous bronzers in the meantime, I always go back to this one. It is perfectly shimmery and even if I'm fair, this bronzer gives a natural glow to my face without overdoing it.

Powder face product - Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation SPF 15 - Bisque I normally don't wear foundation, but I like to swipe this one on to absorb the oil on my face when it's hot outside. It also has SPF 15 which is great, because I don't have to apply a greasy sunscreen before going out.

Hair product - Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo As I have super greasy roots, I fell in love with dry shampoos a long time ago, but I haven't had the chance to try Batiste until very recently - not to mention it's pretty hard to find here in Canada. Batiste is perfect: even if my hair is dark brown, the white residues are easy to brush out, and my hair is left volumized, texturized and clean for hours. With other dry shampoos, there was always a problem, but Batiste solved it all. I have tried Batiste Original, Blush and Tropical, and out of the three, Tropical is my favorite as it smells fresh and citrusy. The on the go size is also perfect to throw in my handbag.

Eye product - Too Faced Eye Shadow - Sitcom Siren When it's all hot and sweaty outside, I don't feel like putting makeup on and I tend to get lazy, that's why I like to rely on Sitcom Siren: it's a pretty taupe eyeshadow that applies like a dream and blends really well. It's a great natural shade to apply all over the lid when I'm in a hurry.

Self Tanner - Clarins Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint For Face and Décolleté I bought this bronzer recently at Clarins 2011 Spring Warehouse Sale for $13 instead of $32 because I have never heard of a tint bronzer before. I'll be honest: the application is awful - because it's a tint, you have to be quick and apply the product exactly where you want because when it's put, it stays put - you can't blend it. I know it was meant for the face and décolleté, but I really wanted to try it all over my body, and I wasn't disappointed: it really gives a dark tan without looking orange. It's a hassle to reapply it every week thought because of tint formula but I have yet to come across a bronzer that gives me better results.

Fashion accessory - Claire's Adjustable Humming Bird Ring I won this ring from Em about a month ago, and I'm absolutely in love with it! I've never been a big ring wearer but I never had something similar to this and it is sooooo gorgeous. I love its vintage vibe and the little sparkly stones are super pretty!

Clothing piece - Garage denim shorts I don't think I have ever bought denim shorts as I prefer to simply cut off the legs of old jeans that I don't wear anymore. Why waste something that still fits? I love the look of denim shorts, they go well with everything, and I even wear them in the winter with leggings or stockings.

L - R: Lazy Day, Au Naturel, Haute Gold, Bisque, Sitcom Siren


♥

The winner of my LoveMode.com giveaway is...

Krystal!

Yey! Congrats hun!!! =D

Mail of the Week (March 7 - 11)

Products to review from Reviva Labs: I have never heard of this brand before so when they approached me to review some of their products, I was curious. Here are the products I received:

• Makeup Primer
• High Potency Collagen Serum

My purchase from Emma's blog sale: I always love to browse blog sales to find products that aren't available in Canada. Here's what I got from Emma:

• Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick in Pink Mallow
• Barry M Lip Paint in touch of Magic
• Barry M Lip Liner in 13

I'll write a proper post about these products so stay tuned!

My purchase from Tiffany blog sale: I'm glad I got some great things from her!

• MAC Peachstock 
• Barry M Lip Paint in Dolly Pink

Swatches in an upcoming post!

Crystal Light Pure samples: I love them so much, I have actually already wrote a post about these here!

April issue of Glamour: That dress is gorgeous!

PETA Vegetarian/Vegan Starter Kit: Order yours for free here.

 And that's not all! I still have to go pick up three parcels at the post office! These will be featured in my next mail post.

Barry M

About a month ago, I had the chance to receive some Barry M products to test and review. I had plenty of time to play with them, so now it's time for me to share my thoughts with you!

L-R: Silver over Pearly Mauve, Silver, Pearly Mauve

Fine Glitter Dust in Silver and Dazzle Dust in Pearly Mauve: Both are super pigmented and soft (no chunky glitters!), and they really glides on smoothly. I'm not a big fan of pigments as they tend to be a mess to work with if you're not careful, but these ones are an exception.

Glitter Lashes in Gold: I had no idea that such product existed, but honestly, I think a normal glitter eyeliner could do the trick. Also, I'm not really fond of the applicator as it makes it quite hard to control the amount of product you want to use. They say to apply to tips of lashes, but I just add it on top of my black mascara.
 It doesn't make a big difference until you layer it, but it does add a hint of sparkle.

Metallic Liquid Eyeliner in Pink: Even thought I'm not a fan of pink shades on the eyes, I was surprised by the quality of this eyeliner. It's a pretty light pink with a chrome finish and the fine tip makes it very easy to apply qieht precision.. And once put on the lids, it won't wash off easily! I swatched it on my hand and let it dry (it really does dry super quickly!) and then I tried to wash it off with water by rubbing it, but it just didn't want to come off! Talk about long lasting!

 L-R: Glitter Lashes and Metallic Liquid Eyeliner

Lip Paint in Baby Pink: When I saw the color in the tube, I was like "OMG! It's the perfect light pink!" so I rushed to try it on my lips... and I was totally disappointed. It's a really, really light pastel pink that totally wash me out. I mean, I'm already really pale, but this lipstick definitely doesn't help the cause! I'm sad because I have read on many blogs that the Lip Paints glide softly on the lips and are moisturizing. I guess this one is the exception, though. However, putting a lipgloss on top does help to live it up a bit.

Glossy Tube Super Shiny Lip Gloss in Passion Pink: This lipgloss is pigmented and non-sticky, and it smells like bubblegum, yum! What can I say more? I love it!

L-R: Passion Pink and Baby Pink 

Blusher in  Rose: I can't resist hot pink blushes, especially in the winter! This one may be scary at first, but the texture is extra fine, which makes it easy to layer to control the intensity, and the color is gorgeous. I also like the packaging, which doesn't look cheap for a drugstore case. Oh, and it also contains Vitamin E, which is so unexpected in a blush!

 Mushroom

 Grey

Nail Paint in Mushroom and Grey: These products were the one I was the most excited to try. I keep hearing lots of great things about those nail polishes in the blogosphere, and I'm so glad I finally got to try them for myself! Now I see why they are one of the best seller drugstore nail polishes. You only need 2 coats for a perfectly opaque color that last a complete week without a single chip. The brush is perfect, the texture is creamy the application is streak-free. And come on, is there a prettier shade than Mushroom? I think I'm addicted!

Barry M needs your help to make its way into the Canadian market! Be sure to "like" "Get Barry M into Canada" on Facebook and follow "@BarryMinCanada" on Twitter.

Disclaimer: These products were sent to me for consideration to review. I was not paid for this review,  I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.

Mail of the Week (January 10 - 14)

Too Faced Natural Eye Palette from Apothica.com: I received my first order from Apothica last week, but the palette wasn't included as it was backorded. They said it would be automatically shipped as soon as it's re-stocked, so I finally received it on January 10, which is pretty decent. I was also very pleased to receive some free samples with my order: NuCèlle Mandelic 10% Serum and Colette Eau de Parfum, by Tocca.
 

Barry M products samples: I was recently contacted by the lovely Wendy who asked me if I could help her get Barry M Cosmetics to break into the Canadian market from the UK. As I have never tried those products before, she also sent me their complete media kit, along with some products for me to try:

• Nail Paint in Mushroom
• Nail Paint in Grey
• Blusher in  Rose
• Lip Paint in Baby Pink
• Glossy Tube Super Shiny Lip Gloss in Passion Pink
• Dazzle Dust in Pearly Mauve
• Fine Glitter Dust in Silver
• Glitter Lashes in Gold
• Metallic Liquid Eyeliner in Pink

If you like Barry M or would be interested to see this brand be sold in Canada, be sure to "like" the Facebook fan page called "Get Barry M into Canada". Oh and, did you know that all of their products are vegetarians (some are even vegan!) and that they don't test on animals?