CARGO Cosmetics Overview

If you follow me on twitter you've most likely read some ecstatic tweets regarding recent items sent to me from CARGO Cosmetics. A brand that doesn't seem to get a lot of attention in the beauty blogging community despite the fantastic quality of their products.

The lovely Jessica (virtual hug if you are reading this) sent me four products...

1. blu-ray high definition pressed powder in shade 10
2. Tinted Moisturizer spf 20 in shade 02 Nude
3. One Base Concealer + Foundation In One in shade 01
4. Beach Blush in the shade Sunset Beach

This powder is heavenly! It immediately caught my eye on the website and lived up to expectations. I wore it with my MUF Foundation and it definitely made it last longer. After 8 hours it stayed put and still managed to look fresh!

The colour suits my skin perfectly (fairest shade you can get) and doesn't leave the classic 'cakey powder' look on my face-score!

In general I love the idea of a tinted moisturizer. CARGO's version has all the perks one can imagine... paraben free, spf 20, formulated without chemicals. Unfortunately 02 is too dark for me. When I tried it on it applied well, looked very natural and gave a nice light coverage. I could still see some of my acne scarring, but hey, that's tinted moisturizer.

 So I gave it to my Mom to try and she really likes it! She isn't much of a makeup girl but found this to be really hydrating for her dry skin. 

Out of the four products they sent, this was the dark horse for me. A dofut applicator for concealer? Say it ain't so.

The past week I've had a general lack of sleep and this concealer (in conjunction with a nearby coffee place) has been my saviour! It covers dark circles, blends well and is build-able. After all, I don't look like a zombie every morning. I also used this to cover some redness/discolouration around my nose and liked the effect.

The brown and deep pink tones warm up my face while the shimmer gives my cheekbones a bit of definition. I'm not one to stray from Nars blushes but the past few days I've been using this nonstop. I think this colour would look good on people with olive or darker skin tones as well. It is pretty in the package and on my cheeks!

^ mediocre swatch alert. I will make an effort to improve my camera skillz.

Expect products from this post to pop up in my September Favourites! If you're interested in their products take a gander at their website.

In other news I finished a Lush Fresh face mask (Cosmetic Warrior). Let me know if you're interested in a review/ramble! 

Product Rave: Nars Orgasm

I know this product is so "overdone" in the beauty community. But I realized that I hadn't contributed to any of the various online posts gushing about the beauty and versatility of this product! Shock Horror! 

Basically (and I'm sure this isn't news to any of you) the shade Orgasm is a brand staple. Inspiring spin off products in the same shade such as nail polish, a highlighter and more. Nars Orgasm also inspires other companies to make cheaper 'dupes' for this blush. I've been watching youtube beauty guru videos for a few years and this is definitely one of the most talked about products. It has the perfect balance of pigmentation and shimmer! This is one product that I would recommend to almost anyone. 

Are there any products that you think most people should own?

Thanks for reading :)

Product Rave: Gwdihw (Goody Hu) Lip Balm & Nail Treatment

I was so excited when this package arrived in the mail from Gwdihw (pronounced Goody Hu). They contacted me about doing a review of these products. 
After seeing them on Sandra's blog I was very interested. The packaging of these products alone was enough to draw my superficial self in. 
Seriously, an owl mascot that holds cherries, oranges and does magic!?

My first impression went something like, 'Holy crap, these smell incredible!' I then scurried off down the hall to force the scent on my mother (who agreed with me). The fragrance is strong in the package but surprisingly diluted when you apply it. This is probably a good thing, as it will not take away/work against your perfume.

I found the lip balms very moisturizing. After using them for a week I can't say I've noticed some dramatic difference in the condition of my lips. However, even an hour after I apply it, when I smack my lips together I can still feel the balm. It certainly makes my lips feel softer and smoother! 

As far as the nail treatment, my nails are already in very good condition (not to boast or anything). So I was a bit skeptical about using this product, 'Do I even need it?' 

Truth is, my nails feel a little bit stronger and healthier, which I didn't think was possible. The past week I haven't worn any nail polish, instead, I've been applying this everyday. 
It could be a combination of the balm and the lack of OPI chemicals. Either way I'm happy!

One word of caution...keep these out of the heat! I left the orange balm in my purse which I intelligently placed on my back deck in direct sunlight *hooray for idiots* ! 

Naturally the balm melted a bit, so I put it in my fridge for a few hours and it was back to normal. Keep in mind...I live in Canada so this "sunlight" I speak of might be small beans compared to California sunshine.

Also, I want to give the brand major props for being 100% natural :) 

Their website states: "All of our balms are free from artificial chemicals and colourants so are ideal for use by all the family"

As a consumer, it's nice to not feel the need to question the integrity of a brand. 

What are some of your favourite eco-friendly products?