Quick update!

Hello everyone!

I realize I haven't posted in while and I promise you that I will have some reviews up soon! I'm in the process of revamping my blog and when I'm done, regular updates will resume!

Thanks for being patient :)

August GlossyBox!

It has arrived! I'm really happy with the products this month and am looking forward to trying them :) Here's a look at what was in my box. I'll update with details later, currently posting from my phone.

NARS Foreplay Quad

Sephora has just announced an exclusive NARS quad available in stores and online! As always, NARS doesn't disappoint with the racy play on words.. say hello to the 'Foreplay Quad'

The quad is based on the much-loved Orgasm blush and paired with some beautiful colours that will give you plenty of opportunity to make your own shade. They've surrounded the pinky-gold Orgasm with matte pink, peach and a gorgeous shimmery gold highlighter. At $58, this quad is pretty pricey and I'll definitely have to check it out in stores to see if it's worth the cost for me. 

If you're already sold, pick this up here Sephora.ca - Foreplay Quad

Biotherm Haul-a-Rama

I may have mentioned before that I absolutely adore Biotherm's skin care line. Naturally, when I was looking for a good night cream, that's the first place I headed.

They recently released a new product, Aquasource Nuit, that has been getting amazing reviews online. I tried the tester in the store and was sold instantly. It's a gel formula that feels really light but packs some major moisture in a really small amount. I like that I don't have to cake my face in moisturizer to get the effects and it absorbs really well. I've used it for the past couple weeks and within a few days my skin felt softer and looked more luminous.

At $44 (ShoppersDrugMart) this moisturizer is a bit on the pricey side, however I only need 1.5 pumps to cover my entire face. This will last quite some time.

Shoppers also had a deal where if you spend a certain amount on Biotherm products, you receive a gift package for $25. I was running out of toner and needed to buy another one. Spending $5 more than what the toner would've cost was a great deal for what I received!

The gift included:

Biosource Hydra-Mineral Cleanser-Toning Mousse

Full Size - $19.

Biosource Instant Hydration Toning Lotion

125ml - Full Size 200ml - $19

Lait Corporel Anti-Drying Body Milk

125ml - Full Size 400ml $35

Lait De Gommage Exfoliating Shower Milk

50ml- Full Size 200ml $35

Lait Solare SPF 30

Small Sample - Full Size 75ml $25

I'm pretty sure I'm missing something in there. It came with a nice beach bag as well. I'm pretty lucky to have really generous women working at the SDM I go to. They also gave me samples of a new Biotherm line called PURE.FECT Skin. Micro-Exfoliating toner?! Yes please! 

Overall it was an amazing deal. I already use the cleanser and the toner as part of my daily skin care so having extra is never a bad thing. The new micro-exfoliating toner is nice as well. I've used it for about a week. Honestly, there isn't much of a difference between that and what I currently use so I probably won't switch.

What skin care products do you swear by?

E.L.F. 50% off Studio Line

Hey everyone!

If you haven't heard, E.L.F. cosmetics has been offering various promotions for the past few weeks to celebrate 8 years in the business. For two days only, they're offering 50% off their Studio line! E.L.F. cosmetics are incredibly well priced and great quality. I'd venture over to www.eyeslipsface.com if I were you and take advantage of this amazing offer!

NARS Fall 2012 Collection

The NARS Fall 2012 collection has just been announced! I can't wait to get my hands on High Society Trio Eyeshadow and the Outlaw Blush. The collection launches online on July 14 and will be in stores at the beginning of August. 

Register here for the chance to shop the collection 48 hours before launch! http://www.narscosmetics.ca/fall12

Are you planning on purchasing any of these products? 

Animal Testing Policy by Urban Decay

I have been following this issue closely ever since it was announced that Urban Decay was planning on making their products available in China. As many of you know, China requires animal testing to approve products for sale in their country. Urban Decay has always taken a strong stand against this sort of testing, boasting the tag line 'We don't do animal testing. How could anyone?'

For many, this change brought about very intense emotions and conflict as to why their favorite cruelty-free brand made this choice. A choice that would've put their morals and ethics on the back-burner for profit in a new market. While Urban Decay made an official release stating that they wanted to move into China to make a difference from the 'inside', most of their customers did not buy it and they were faced with a massive online backlash, resulting in emails, Facebook and Twitter comments and boycotts.

On Friday July 6 2012, Urban Decay officially cancelled their plans to sell in China and issued this statement:

UD Decides Not to Sell in China

After careful consideration of many issues, we have decided not to start selling Urban Decay products in China. While several factors were important in reaching this decision, ultimately we did not feel we could comply with current regulations in China and remain true to our core principles. We know there are many progressive consumers in China who would embrace an opportunity to purchase non-animal tested products - our hope remains that we have the chance to offer Urban Decay products to these consumers someday in the future.

Following our initial announcement, we realized that we needed to step back, carefully review our original plan, and talk to a number of individuals and organizations that were interested in our decision. We regret that we were unable to respond immediately to many of the questions we received, and appreciate the patience our customers have shown as we worked through this difficult issue.

Since our founding in 1996, we have been committed to ending animal testing in the cosmetics industry. As demonstrated by the renewed support we have received from organizations like PETA and the CCIC, this principle remains at our core. Urban Decay does not test its finished products on animals, nor do we allow others to test on our behalf, and we require our suppliers to certify that the raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are not tested on animals. Urban Decay is proud to be 100% cruelty-free.

If you have additional questions, please email us at info@urbandecay.com.

I'm really happy that they made the choice to stick to their morals and continue the fight against animal testing. As such an unnecessary and archaic process, we need more cosmetic companies to do the same. While many of their fans view may still remain tainted, and for whatever reason prompted them to change their minds, they're still doing the right thing. 

How do you feel about the whole situation? Were you part of the boycott? Will you continue to use Urban Decay's products now that they've decided to stay cruelty-free?

June GlossyBox!

It's been a while since I made a post. I've been doing some shows and working on music with the band so the past few weeks have been busy!

I received my June Glossybox on Friday! Right in time for the long weekend :)

As usual, I'll do a quick post of what I received and first impressions. Products I end up using in the future, I'll do a review on. 

Without further adieu, I bring you the June box!

 Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser - Full Size - 200ml $9.99

I've just recently found my HG skin cleanser in Biotherm's line and am unsure as to whether or not I'll be using this. It might be good to leave up at the cottage though. I've generally had a pretty good experience with Biore products. 

 Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex - 7ml Sample - Full Size 50ml - $30.99

I think this is the 3rd of these I've received in the past couple months, first time from GlossyBox though. I'll be giving this away. 

 Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF55 - 14ml Sample - Full Size 88ml $15.99

Who doesn't need more sunscreen? This will be staying in my purse for touch-ups. I love Neutrogena. 

 Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips - Sample - Full Size 8 strips for $9.99

I love Biore's pore strips. These were nice to receive.

 CoverGirl Flipstick - Blendable Lip Duo - Minx - Full Size $12.50

I'm sure you've all heard the complaints about this colour. It's a pretty dark brown with a bronze colour that can be blended into it. I haven't swatched this yet but I'm really not sure if it will work for me. Some people recommended using it as a cheek or lid colour which I might try. The bronze side might look nice over some red though. 

 Wella Professionals Ocean Spritz - Full Size $16.99

This is Wella's beach spray. I'm really excited to try this out as ever since I came back from vacation, I've missed the way the ocean made my hair look. I've yet to be disappointed with Wella's products. 

 Gilette Venus Embrace Razor - One Razor - $13.43

I've said it before and I'll say it again, who doesn't need more razors? 

Overall, I'm fairly satisfied with this box. I know a lot of people are disappointed with the amount of drug-store items but part of the reason I started subbing to beauty boxes was to curb my unnecessary spending at Shoppers Drug Mart. Receiving full and sample sized products that I'd probably buy to try is always a hit for me and saves me money in the long run. While I would be happy if there were more cosmetic and higher-end products in my boxes, I can't complain about the value I receive from Glossybox. 

If you'd like to sign up, head over to www.glossybox.ca and use promo code GLOSSY27 to receive 10% off your first order. 

Julep June Mystery Boxes

So I'll be honest and say that I was holding off on starting a Julep Maven subscription. I have semi-problematic nails that seem to break constantly and getting falsies done isn't always possible as it interferes with playing guitar. When I heard about the June mystery boxes that they were offering, I decided to take the plunge and see how it turned out.

I ordered two boxes in total. I have yet to receive the second but the first just came in and this is what I received.

Glycolic Hand Scrub - 30ml- Full Size is 89ml $32.00 - Estimated value - $10

Age Defying Hand Brightener - 30ml - Full Size is 89ml $32.00 - Estimated Value - $10

Julep Elixir Organic Argan Oil - Full Size 30ml - $24.00

Julep Polish - Emma - $14.00

Julep Polish - Gayle - $14.00

Nail File

I'm not sure if this is considered a medium or small box but I love it! Amazing deal and great products. One of the nice things about Julep polishes is that they're '4-Free'. Their polishes contain no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene or DPB

My second box should be in tomorrow and I have a feeling it might be a bigger box as it was held up in customs temporarily. *Edit* I just received it!!!

Julep Elixir Organic Argan Oil - 30ml - $24.00

Julep Polish - Natasha - $14.00

Julep Polish - Sandra - $14.00

Julep Polish - Heather - $14.00

Nail File

I'm pretty happy that I didn't get any colour dupes and that I received two nail files and two bottles of the Elixir. One for home and one for work!

From this experience alone, I've decided to sign up for the Maven program. You order an initial box, which costs only 1 cent if you use the promo code PENNY. Then, each month, you're given the choice to receive the next box from your style profile or another for $19.99. They also allow you to 'skip' a month if you're not loving the choices. Julep just got a new customer.

If you'd like to learn more about Julep, their Maven program or the charity work they do, head on over to www.julep.com

Best thing I've read all day..

Your order ------------------- is about to be shipped!

The UPS tracking number is: -----------------

Please note that it may take up to 48 hours for this number to be activated by UPS. Once it is activated, click the number to track your packages progress via our site, alternately you can track using the above number via the UPS website at www.ups.com

LUSH wants to know how you found your UPS delivery experience. Please feel free to email us your comments (both good and bad) to delivery@lush.com.

Thank-you for choosing LUSH




Yes yes yes! Can't wait.

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