Review: Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion

This lovely little bottle was introduced to frowardfashion in my September Favourites post. After having no prior exposure, it might've seemed out of place.

Background: This was one of those weird purchases Canadians make when in American airports.

The Newark airport had a huge selection of Mario Badescu products next to tacky key chains and gossip magazines. 

It feels extremely watery and thin. I didn't like it at first. Despite being 'cooling' it seemed more aggitating. Maybe my skin was just having a bad week...but I put this at the back of the drawer and declared it a regretted impulse purchase.

But this fall I took it out for a second chance, and boy am I glad I did!

I rotate between cleanser now and this is one of them. It is great to use before bed to remove makeup. It doesn't leave any weird residue and is a nice switch from my creamy lancome cleanser and my cetaphil cleanser (a real staple).

One complaint would be the bottle. Love how the packaging is clean and simple-props Badescu!

But it can be hard to control the amount. The dispenses isn't squeeze triggered, you just tip it and it dribbles onto your cotton pad. Unfortunately when I am in an impatient mood I tip it too quickly and end up wasting product.

In addition, I ate some delicious cheese over the weekend. Had to bring out the camera and take a photo. Warning: you might feel hungry after looking at this! :p

Applewood, brie and a baguette. Forget beauty products, I could ramble about food all day!

** UPDATE/CORRECTION: Since posting I have been in contact with Mario Badescu PR.

Turns out the lotion should be used as a toner-not a cleanser. If you try this product out, they recommend applying with a cotton pad and not rinsing off, then follow up with a moisturizer. I will try this method soon and maybe make another post out of it!

Sorry for the confusion everyone, hope you're having a nice evening. xx

Annabelle Smudge Paint and a Bracelet

The Annabelle Smudge Paint is a fairly new release. I was super excited to try it because I needed to get out of my makeup rut... wearing the same brown eyeshadow as liner every day was getting tired.

First things first, the packaging is so cool and compact. Basically the bottle has a small brush attached to the lid. You pull it out, screw off the bottom and the product separates into three sections. Perfect for travel, on the go, or anyone looking to save money on a brush.

 I've used this stuff almost every day for a week. What I find tricky about it is the consistency. I like to use it on my upper lash line, since it is meant to be smudged, the texture is very wet. Therefore, I need to be extra careful when I apply it. In order to get a clean, sharp line I can't squint my eyes or blink too hard. That being said, it takes less than a minute to dry.

The staying power is incredible. This product doesn't budge. If I put it on at 8am it will be in perfect condition at the end of the day.

When reading other reviews on different blogs, they said it costs $10.95. This is well worth the money in my opinion. Although it is small (just 2.8grams) I don't have to use a lot to achieve the look I want. Definitely worth checking out!

 Final thing I want to talk about it my winning streak! ;) I entered a giveaway on Laura Potter's blog Tiny Twisst . It is an awesome fashion blog. She has a really cool sense of style and her makeup and hair always look beautiful! Anyway, I was one of two winners and my gift came in the mail last week. I was impressed by the weight of the bracelet. Very solid. I forget the name of the company that makes the bracelet, but if you are interested, Laura posted! I was also impressed by her business card-such an awesome idea. Thanks Laura for the lovely bracelet!

Hope everyone had a good weekend. I've been really busy lately and haven't been reading blogs very much :'( Hope to check out "the regulars" soon and tweet a bit more. 

*All products mentioned were sent to me. Opinions are 100% my own. ^.^

Review: Lush Cosmetic Warrior

You might remember how ecstatic I was after using Brazened Honey! Everything about it was perfect :) So I was happily prepared to drop some more dough at Lush and try another mask. There were so many to choose from and while Brazened Honey was amazing, I am always looking for something even better. If I didn't do that..I'd be a pretty bad beauty blogger.

With the help of a lovely sales assistant I bought Cosmetic Warrior. Grey-ish taupe in shade and as the photos hopefully show, chunky in texture. This mask is supposed to help combat breakouts using tea tree oil, garlic, grapes, eggs and honey. It has properties that can "smooth and tighten the pores" as well as moisturize. All for $6.95

So what did I think? The mask felt very cooling and refreshing. My skin felt calmed down once I washed it off. I didn't get any new breakouts during the 2 weeks and I thought it helped with a few nasty spots along my chin. Keep in mind I use this in conjunction with other skin care items; masks, moisturizers, cleansers etc!

My reservation with this product is the smell. It is gross. There is no way around it. The combination of garlic and tea tree oil just does it. The scent took away the 'pampered' feeling I typically get from using a mask. It wasn't horrible enough that I stopped applying the product. Just like the other mask, there was enough inside to cover my face about 4 times. 

Overall: If you are extremely sensitive to smells or hate garlic this is not the mask for you! On the other hand, if you are willing to pinch your nose and do something good for your skin I would recommend this mask. Yes it stinks but your face will thank you. I would still recommend Brazened Honey over this one.

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! 

Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumising Mascara

I got sucked into the beauty aisle at Winners. A dangerous place for someone with a love for bargains and high end makeup. There were other products by brands like Pixi, Stilla, Elizabeth Arden and the list goes on. I was pretty impressed and settled on Korres Abyssinia Oil Mascara.

I bought this for $7.99. Winners said the original price was $23.99 *remember all prices listed on this blog are in Canadian dollars.

So we know it's a good deal, now onto the quality of the product.

I like the effect it has on my lashes. As you can see from the photos, it isn't too dramatic. I don't find my lashes are as defined, long or voluminous compared to using Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping. It also droops throughout the day, not long lasting.

However, I find this mascara gives my lashes a 'feathery' quality that is pretty :)

The brush is tiny! I have a lot of control with it and I'm able to get into every nook and cranny! This mascara works well on both top and bottom lashes. I read on another blog that this product is 'all natural' and is formulated without parabens. It doesn't leave my lashes feeling damaged and it easy to remove.

Overall: I'm not over the moon about this mascara. If you are looking for a more natural look it might be perfect for you! I like the ingredients and integrity of the brand. Though I won't be repurchasing this mascara, it isn't a regret!

On a personal note.. sorry I've been slow responding to comments, tweets and checking out other blogs. This week has been pretty hectic. I haven't even had the chance to watch trashy reality television :O

With that in mind, are there any tv shows I need to watch? People always recommend Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones but I gravitate towards Bravo..

Review! Bliss Steep Clean

I'm going to try to make this review short and sweet! But first, a little background. My skin is combination and often feels dehydrated and congested. I maintain a healthy (for the most part!), vegetarian diet but unfortunately still battle with acne.

Using masks has become my latest obsession. I've talked about the Formula 10.0.6 and Lush masks but here is my impression of Bliss's Steep Clean!

PROS!

• This is a basic point, but it feels like it really cleans my skin. The following two days, everything comes to the surface.
• A lot of product in the bottle (100 mL or 3.4 fl oz).
• Easy to rinse off i.e. doesn't feel glued to your face >.<

CONS!

• Using the two pumps simultaneously takes some practice.
• Expensive, luckily I received this as a gift.
• Bliss recommends using a grape size amount, but I find it takes atleast double that amount to cover my face.

Overall: This mask does it's job. Steep Clean gives you a deep cleansing and pulls a surprising amount of bacteria, grime, blackheads (you know the rest!) to the surface.

I'm going to continue using this mask once or twice a week in conjunction with my new Lush mask :)

Have you tried this product, thoughts?

What are your current favourite masks?

Review: Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

Can't believe it's taken me so long to review this, but better late than never! I bought this foundation during my first ever trip to Sephora in March 2010. I remember using it for the first time and wondering how I would make it last, I worried I would love it so much it would be finished in 4 months!

Well, this tube is only about half full (or half empty depending on your point of view) and this is partially due to the fact that I love trying out new things and though this is a fantastic product there are other liquid foundations that have caught my eye such as MUF HD, Vichy Dermablend and recently Dior BB Cream. But I still come back to this product for a couple reasons...

1. This is beyond superficial...but it smells beautiful!
2. Can apply using sponges, brushes or fingers, very easy-to-use.
3. A little goes a long way. A pinky nail amount can cover my whole face.
4. The "luminous coverage" claim is true. This foundation never looks heavy.

I wouldn't necessarily say this is a long lasting foundation, as the day wears on, it wears off. I find if I have dry skin it will become patchy around those areas. I've never tried using it with a setting spray or a primer but I'm sure those would make a difference. I have fair skin and was on vacation at the time. I bought the shade Rose Ivory. During the summer it is perfect! But the rest of the year I think it is a tad off, however it isn't noticeable. The cost is $42, pricey but in my opinion worth it! A good foundation is key to any makeup routine so I'm willing to drop the cash. On other more 'trivial' products such as bold eyeshadow or even mascara, it's easy (and better) to save your money.

Have you tried Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation?

What are your thoughts?

Hope you are having a good week! 

Review: Vichy Softening Exfoliating Cream

My adventures with Vichy continue as I try out my second product from this brand. You may remember my Vichy Dermablend Foundation review. You can read it here Now I want to talk about their exfoliator. There's a few quick things you need to know before I get too in depth.


Long story short...

1. Formulation is very creamy.
2. Doesn't cheat you on micro-beads i.e, bang fo yo buck
3. Gentle.

Long story...

I had given up on exfoliators. After about a year of trying to find the perfect one (and a year of failing) I decided to take a 2 month break. I felt they irritated my acne prone skin and were causing more harm than I was willing to put up with! >:(

But recently I was shopping for a new facial sunscreen at Shoppers (let me know in the comments if you are interested in a sunscreen post) and I came across a bottle of the Vichy exfoliator. As you can imagine after a 2 month hiatus I certainly had some dead skin cells that my cleanser alone couldn't remove. So I bought it, re-entering my abusive relationship with exfoliators.

For the entire month of June I have used it 1-2 times per week. It really does help revive your face and just go that one step above and beyond a cleanser. It sloughs away dead skin cells and really feels good after using sunscreen. I think one reason why I like the exfoliator is the texture, the creaminess makes my skin happy! :)

I have yet to try it using my Clarisonic and I am very hesitant about this. Have any of you used the Clarisonic with a creamy, thick product? I usually stick to water based products with light weight almost oil-y consistencies for that machine.

Thanks for reading, I hope you've had a fantastic month so far. Please leave me a message, comments always put a smile on my face! 

Not All Eyeliners are Made Equal...

A few weeks ago I posted about an Urban Decay 24/7  Glide On eyeliner in the shade Zero. In that post I raved about the staying power, the true black colour and smoothness of the pencil. As much as I loved that product it turns out my other pencil from the same line, but in a different shade, does not have the same effect. 

This shade is called Gun-Metal and the amount of glitter is ridiculous. It isn't quite as smooth and as you can see from the pictures I haven't used very much of it. I find I need to press really hard in order to get pigmentation and a consistent line. The one thing I will say is that the staying power is still amazing. After I did the swatches on my hands it required some good old fashioned scrubbing to get it off!

So the line closest to us on the outside of my hand is a result of me; pressing hard, stubbornly going back over the line several times. The other, more faint line is how I would normally apply other pencil liners. Not sure if you can see but there are some fairly chunky bits that are not flattering on my upper lash line -.-


Overall I think I need to buy one more pencil from the line to prove that this one was just a mistake that happened during production ;) Should I play it safe and get a brown or plum? Or buy a brighter shade like teal? Let me know in the comments! Also, feel free to follow me on twitter! @frowardfashion 

Review: Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

This is my favorite drugstore mascara. The brush is extremely easy to use. I prefer long and thin brushes because I find they get every lash! This mascara doesn't clump, the formula is jet black and has amazing staying power...

Which brings me to the negatives. Although it is waterproof it is also makeup remover proof. This stuff takes way too much work to get off. Believe me, I don't want to spend 10 minutes trying to remove mascara and be left with a sticky black residue on my face!

Overall, the mascara delivers fresh faced lashes. They look much longer and darker. It isn't incredibly volumizing but it works for me. 

Thanks for reading my blog! I really appreciate all the lovely comments!
What is your favorite drugstore mascara?

Review: Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation

First of all I want to say thanks to everyone reading, there is now 26, and though it may not seem like a lot of people...it is really cool to me and I am quite proud! :D


Now, here's the dealio on this foundation. Though it doesn't feel heavy the coverage is full and if applied half-hazardly it looks awful. This isn't like a tinted moisturizer you can just rub on and it looks finished. Whenever I use this product it requires some blending, patting and light fingers.


At the Shoppers location where I bought it, there were only two shades. Naturally, I chose the palest thing I could. In this case it is called 15 Opal. I find the colour is a tad yellow for me but it works nonetheless. It has good lasting power and wasn't too expensive. 


The package claims that this is 'corrective foundation' I didn't use it religiously enough to give a fair account of the corrective properties. But after using it off and on there were no results. My biggest issue with this product is that it gets messy. As in, it is difficult to control the amount of product and it seems to squirt and just bleed product for a couple minutes after opening. However, that could potentially just be the bottle I got.

Overall, it's not one of my favorite foundations. But I would certainly recommend it to people who like full coverage and have enough experience (or bravery!) to play around with this foundation :)

On another note... has anyone been watching the real housewives of vancouver?

I am really enjoying it so far, who are you liking?

xx Veronica

A Little Lipstick & A Skincare Complaint

This is from the Chanel Rouge Coco line that came out last year. As you can see the shade is slightly coral and has a bit of shimmer. It looks good on the lips (in my opinion) although I usually just bring it over for spring/summer!

In the third picture down you can see how natural looking the colour is. Sort of a better version of my lips. I actually like this more than MAC's Hue because the hint of coral adds some warmth to my pale complexion.

Other bonuses include...

It doesn't dry out my lips, packaging is très chic, smells nice :)

Downsides...

The staying power is just mediocre. 

Now for an all-out rant!
These Neutrogena All-In-One wipes are the biggest let down ever! They broke out my skin in areas where I never usually get acne. 


If I pay $6 for 7 wipes they better work well. But there was nothing redeeming about these. The Ponds brand is actually just as effective at removing makeup and at half the price. Maybe my expectations were just too high, but I won't be buying these again. Sorry Neutrogena :/


What cleansing wipes would you recommend (if I dare to purchase another after this ordeal)?

I know this post was pretty random but I hope you enjoyed reading it! Please feel free to leave questions/comments I love receiving them and will respond to every one :)


xx Veronica

Urban Decay 24/7 Liner

When it comes to eyeliners I am definitely picky. Nothing too creamy, smudgy or runny. Essentially, I am one of thousands of eyeliner consumers who is hard to please. However, Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in the shade Zero is right for me!


It is pigmented and seriously glides over skin. The packaging is very uniform but still stays true to the brand. I like how easily I can control the amount of product I use as well as how easy to remove it is. I have never tried it in the waterline, in fact I am extremely boring beauty blogger who sticks to upper lash line :P


My only complaints would be that I have trouble sharpening it. I have tried both Chanel and NYX sharpeners but neither have worked well. Maybe if I just suck it up and buy the Urban Decay brand I will have better results. Is it just me or has anyone else had this issue too? 

Hope everyone's week started out well! Thanks for all your support this month, I am so happy to be blogging :)